JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – East Tennessee State University’s College of Business and Technology has pumped $102 million into the Tri-Cities economy over the past year, according to a study released Monday by ETSU economic and business officials.
The study also found that the business and technology college has created 964 full-time jobs this year – positions earning an average annual salary of $33,000, said ETSU economics professor Steb Hipple, who put together the economic analysis.
“This is having a fairly significant impact [in this region] and it’s one that’s going to be ongoing,” Hipple said during a Monday news conference held at the Carnegie Hotel. “It’s very good news for this area.”
He and other ETSU officials said the study examined a variety of factors, including the number of business and technology graduates now employed in the Tri-Cities region and the college’s success in helping numerous local businesses start or expand their operations.
They noted that during 2009, ETSU’s Small Business Development program has provided guidance, assistance and other resources to 278 clients – 153 who planned to start new businesses in the Tri-Cities.
“One of our major goals is to promote and support the economic growth of this region,” said Linda Garceau, dean of ETSU’s business and technology college. “This analysis shows the significant economic impact we’ve been able to make.”
Garceau noted that besides the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, ETSU is the only university in the region with a college specializing in both business and technology.
She said ETSU’s business and technology college currently has 2,700 students, and 85 percent are undergraduates.
rbrown@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2512
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement