TAXPAYER ALLIANCE STUDY RECOGNIZES MATC’S ECONOMIC IMPACT
Madison Area Technical College President Dr. Bettsey Barhorst says a new study by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance demonstrates the potential of MATC to spur stronger economic growth in the 12 counties in the district the college serves.
“You can grow more grain if you sow more seeds,” Barhorst observes, referring to the report’s title, Growing Wisconsin’s Economy. “Growing the investment in our technical colleges is one of the most effective things Wisconsin could do to grow our economy.”
The WTA study finds that:
- Technical colleges generate $6.9 billion in economic benefits for Wisconsin each year.
- $2.8 billion in economic output was regenerated by the 16 technical colleges’ combined budgets of $1.4 billion.
- Wisconsin’s economy generates a return of $3.62 for every $1 in state and local resources invested in technical colleges.
The study also projects that 2005-06 graduates will earn $2.1 billion more than they would have earned with only a high school diploma, representing a payback to taxpayers of nearly $6 to every $1 invested.
“The Taxpayers Alliance study adds to the body of data showing MATC’s positive economic impact,” Barhorst says. Other recent measures of MATC’s contributions to the economy include:
- MATC helped Wisconsin companies win $358 million in government contracting business last year, resulting in more than 7,000 jobs created or retained in the state, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, which partially funds MATC’s Business Procurement Assistance Center (BPAC).
- 96.6% of recent MATC program graduates are employed in Wisconsin, including 81% who work in the MATC District. The average annual salary reported by two-year associate degree graduates working in a related field is $32,730.
- Wisconsin workers with associate degrees earn average wages of $16.19 per hour compared to $12.98 for those with only a high school diploma, according to the State of Working Wisconsin 2006 report by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS).
The latest study was completed by the consulting arm of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance at the request of the Wisconsin Technical College System. The full report can be accessed on the WISTAX website at www.wistax.org/facts/wtcs.pdf.
MATC is one of the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges. It provides “real world smart” education through a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult basic education and life enrichment studies and activities, as well as customized employee training. MATC offers associate degrees, vocational diplomas and certificates, and non-degree courses in more than 140 programs of study. The college serves parts of 12 counties located in southcentral Wisconsin and offers instruction through five campuses and numerous community locations throughout the district.
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Modified:
May 29, 2007
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