by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service
Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa., one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), reports its economic impact in Central Susquehanna Valley at $97 million for the year ended June 30, 2005, up from $90 million in the previous year.
The increase in Susquehanna's economic impact on the region was due to a 9 percent boost in spending for goods and services -- from $25.1 million to $27.3 million -- provided to the university by independent contractors and vendors, a school news release said. Another area of the budget that experienced significant increase was the amount of money the university held in local checking accounts. That amount nearly doubled from about $1.4 to $2.8 million. Susquehanna's annual payroll includes more than 460 people and it is among the largest employers in the area, the release said. The university operated on a $45.5 million budget in fiscal 2004-2005, $24.2 million of which was paid in salaries and benefits. Susquehanna University's 1,900 students spent an estimated $2.3 million in the area, and the more than 76,000 people who visited the campus last year spent an estimated $2 million, the release said.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
