GVSU reports regional impact of $816 million

The annual economic impact that Grand Valley State University has on the region is estimated at $816 million. Grand Valley issued its yearly tri-county economic impact report during its April 28 Board of Trustees meeting held at the L. William Seidman Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

The economic impact report covers Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties and used 2015-2016 data. Grand Valley employs more than 3,600 people and enrolls more than 25,400 students who spend money and pay taxes in the region.

Some additional highlights of this year's report include:

• New construction and renovations pumped more than $83 million into the local economy in 2016, creating more than 1,760 trade and construction jobs.

• Construction of the $37.5 million Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall will be finished in May 2018 and will expand Grand Valley's health campus in Grand Rapids. On the Allendale Campus, an addition to the Performing Arts Center will add 44,000-square-feet of additional space to the existing building. The $20-million project will be finished in August.

• Grand Valley alumni now number more than 106,000 and nearly half are living or working in West Michigan's tri-county area.

The entire Economic Impact brochure can be found at www.gvsu.edu/economicimpact. For more information on Grand Valley's impact visit www.gvsu.edu/accountability.

In other board action/discussion:

• The appointment of Maria Cimitile as provost and executive vice president for Academic and Student Affairs was confirmed by the board. Cimitile said she will soon be visiting each college at the university. More information about her appointment can be found here.

• Gayle R. Davis was recognized by the board for her 15 years of service as provost and executive vice president for Academic and Student Affairs. Upon her retirement, Davis will receive the title of provost and executive vice president for Academic and Student Affairs emerita.

• The board also approved a resolution for:

          • Reauthorization of three charter schools (Global Heights Academy in Dearborn Heights, Legacy Charter Academy in Detroit, Statewide Cyber);

          • The authorization of a new school (Flint Cultural Center STEAM Academy);

          • The approval of a site addition for another school (Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy in Center Line);

          • The merger of Detroit Achievement Academy and Detroit Prep;

          • The approval of new Charter Contract Terms and Conditions for 6a, 6e, and 6c schools;

          • The appointment or reappointment of charter school board members to GVSU-authorized public school academy boards.