What's a little college worth?

Dear readers,

One of my favorite annual reports came out today. In it, Texas A&M attempts to assign numbers to the impact our University has on the local economy. According to the report, released by Texas A&M Univeristy Marketing and Communications, "the in-house study authorized by Texas A&M President Elsa A. Murano shows that the university and other locally headquartered members of the Texas A&M System had a direct $1.3 billion impact on College Station, Bryan and the surrounding area during 2008-a direct increase of about $146.5 million compared to the previous year and the previous record.

Adding the impact of those dollars being reinvested throughout the region, the total impact is about $3.28 billion-nearly $366 million more than the prior record set in 2007."

Other highlights:

• Payroll - 20,844 university & system employees = $796.8 million, up $27.8 million
• Students - around 48,000 give or take = $378 million, up $96 million
• Visitors = $137.9 million, up $22.6 million
• Construction = $98.3 million, down $3.5 million

It's no wonder we enjoy such a good life here. Who knew that the little college south of Bryan would turn into a multi-billion dollar economic machine.

You can stay up to date on the latest College Station real estate market reports at my market report Website, MarketReports.SamWhiteRealty.com. We also post links relating to College Station & Bryan real estate and economic reports at facebook.SamWhiteRealty.com.

Convinced and ready to buy? Search all College Station and Bryan real homes listed with any broker at Search.SamWhiteRealty.com.

Blue skies,

Sam White
SamWhiteRealty.com