Working by Degrees: Oregon State University’s Role in the Mid-Willamette Valley Economy
John Sechrest
Please take a moment to share this with your neighbors and friends so that we can bring our community to this event.
----
Corvallis City Club
January 11, 2010
11:45 - 1:30pmFirst Presbyterian Church, 8th and Monroe
Oregon State University’s impact on the mid-Willamette Valley economy will be the focus when OSU President Ed Ray addresses the City Club of Corvallis at its regular meeting, January 11, 2010. Ray, an economist by training, came to OSU 2003 and is currently the longest serving president in Oregon University System.
Among the points Ray will raise are the following:
OSU earned $252 million in grants and contracts in FY2009, up more than $100 million since 2003, leading to jobs and spending on goods and services.
At least 22 companies — from young startups to direct spinoffs, many in the mid-Willamette Valley — have leveraged OSU technologies in the last five years.
OSU graduates and students work with local companies, from the vaccine pioneer Siga Technologies to Life Microsystems, Inpria and Precision Plant Systems.
With an increase in the student population to nearly 22,000 this year, OSU enrollment is up more than 12 percent since 2006.
In 2006, OSU estimated its statewide impact at $1.5 billion. At that time, OSU’s budget was about eight percent lower than it is today, and state funds provided about 20 percent of OSU’s revenues. Just under half of all revenues came from outside the state, making the university a significant importer of dollars to Oregon.
Today, the collective impact on businesses and communities is likely much larger than what previous figures suggest, approaching nearly $2 billion. Ray will emphasize that higher education is one of the region’s largest employers and an engine of new products and services.
The Corvallis City Club meets in the First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW 8th Street starting at 11:45 am. Lunch and speakers will be followed by discussion at the tables and questions presented to the speaker. The meeting ends at 1:30 pm. Corvallis City Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding community dialogue and is sponsored by the Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition. The talk and discussion are open to members of the public. First time attendees and City Club members are free; non-members attend for $5.
Registration is recommended (www.cityclubofcorvallis.org), walk-ins are welcome for the talk and the discussion. An optional buffet lunch is available for $10, with pre-registration.
--
John Sechrest .
Corvallis Benton .
Chamber Coalition .
420 NW 2nd .
(541) 757-1507 . sech...@corvallisedp.com
.
.
