Brandon University released a study earlier this week showing how they are a significant economic driver of the City of Brandon and the Westman area, and how they are responsible for more than $417 million in economic activity every year.

Dr. Gervan Fearon has been President of BU for the past number of years, and is moving on to Brock University in the near future. He says “It is the first time in many years that a study of this type has been done for Brandon University and it shows that this university has comparable significant economic impacts on the city and the region.”

“Every dollar in provincial funding provided to Brandon University generates more than $11.00 in economic impact – an outstanding return on investment by any measure and testimony to the transformative impact and economic value of post-secondary education and research in our region.”

“When coupled with the athletic, artistic and cultural contributions that our faculty, staff and students bring to the community and society, it truly shows that Brandon University is an extraordinary asset that strengthens the attractiveness of our region as a place to live, to conduct business, and to invest in innovation as well as to study,” said Dr. Fearon.

The in-depth study was conducted by BU Dr. Kim Lemky, in collaboration with the BU Institutional Data Analysis Unit (IDA). Lemky says the University attracts some 3,200 students every year, with 87% of those students coming from Manitoba, 8% from out of province and 5% internationally. 26% of the Manitoba students hail from Brandon, and 75% travel from elsewhere in Manitoba.

The IDA applied two separate methods of analysis that result in unique outputs and the ability to compare BU’s impact to other post-secondary institutions. BU boasts the second-highest number of graduate students of Manitoba universities, with 301 students in five Master’s programs. A total of 12,440 students have graduated over the past 4 decades from BU.

Lemky says the study shows that about three-quarters of the graduates from BU stay to live and work in the region.

Dr. Lemky brings attention to BU’s contributions in research. “Research at Brandon University creates new knowledge, applies knowledge in new ways, and comes up with industry-focused solutions that improved other sectors of the economy. This is one of the key ways through which Brandon University helps drive the local and regional economy.” Last year, BU celebrated more than $6.25 million in federal Tri-Agency research grants awarded to researchers in recent years.

As well, the study showed that BU contributed $122.9 million in total gross output to the Manitoba economy through the 2014/2015 year, added $81.4 million to GDP, generated 46.8 million in labour income, created a total of 927 jobs, and produced $5.1 million in indirect taxes, even after the added gains from research and alumni activity used in the “Sudmant method” were subtracted. Of the 927 jobs created, 679 of those were in Brandon.

BU’s Incoming Interim President, Dr. Steve Robinson, says,” It’s impossible to calculate the full impact that BU has on our city’s social and cultural scene. Brandon University attracts both youth and educated professionals to Brandon, who contribute to our region in many important non-economic ways, from volunteering to voting. This is the best estimate we can give for the economic side of the equation – the hard dollars that BU brings to Brandon every year.”

Brandon University was founded in 1899, celebrating 118 years of excellence in teaching, and scholarship, inspiring students to become leaders in their communities.

The complete report is available online.