Originally posted on www.wdam.com
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – There’s a lot of buzz about the future of William Carey University after expansion plans were announced at an economic impact forum Tuesday.
University President Dr. Ben Burnett points to the results of an economic impact study from the past 10 years.
“We’ve been in business for 133 years, but we’ve only accelerated in growth in the last decade or so,” said Burnett. “And so, people don’t really realize what impact we truly have to this area.”
University leaders say the study showed over the last decade, the total economic output averaged $136 million per year, a 70% increase since 2015
“They have an enormous economic impact, you know, $136 million annual impact accounting direct and indirect and induced impact,” said Area Development Partnership President Chad Newell. “It’s pretty spectacular with the growth that they’ve been able to achieve over the last decade.”
WCU has big plans for the future as they continue the recent momentum.
During the forum, the university announced plans for expansion and development that will almost double its footprint in Hattiesburg.
Currently, WCU sits on 130 acres of land.
“We just closed, in the last two days, on an additional 107 acres of land that’s undeveloped that joins our land toward Hwy. 49,” said Burnett.
William Carey now has the property after a donation that covered half the price of the land, which they matched.
Burnett says the first thing they will focus on is a new entrance into campus.
“We’ve outgrown just one little two-lane road entrance into William Carey University with our traffic. “So this would allow us to partner with the city, and with other officials to get another entrance on WSF Tatum directly into the campus. I think it’s going to take two to three years to get a roadway constructed and built in there, and then we can look at other things. So, it’s a long-term project, but exciting.
With the new land, Burnett says there is talk about adding more student living options for the university.
