news-category: Community News/Events Cleveland County Study Reports 猫咪头条’s Total Economic Impact: $155.3 Million By Office of University Communications On October 9, 2023 Report by Tourism Economics Commissioned by Visit Cleveland County, N.C. BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擜 new study by Tourism Economics, which was commissioned by Visit Cleveland County, N.C., has documented and determined the economic impacts of four organizations, including 猫咪头条 University. The comprehensive report analyzed data from 2022 and concluded that GWU generated a total economic impact of $155.3 million in the local economy, was responsible for 1,315 full- and part-time jobs, and produced $8.0 million in tax revenues at the state and local levels. 鈥淭his is really important information for our neighbors, friends, and partners across Cleveland County to have,鈥 emphasized 猫咪头条 President Dr. William M. Downs. 鈥淕WU is one of the primary economic motors of our county. Our university is a jobs-generator and a jobs-sustainer. Our students, faculty, and staff are not just teachers and learners 鈥 they are also consumers and taxpayers who elevate the quality of life in our community in very tangible ways. If there was ever any doubt, then these economic impact data from a respected firm have resoundingly established GWU as an indispensable contributor to economic prosperity in Cleveland County.鈥 Greg Pepitone, associate director of Tourism Economics, explained how the company calculated total economic impact. The first step is to determine the direct spending generated by 猫咪头条, which is $115.5 million. This amount is a combination of the University鈥檚 operational spending: $84.3 million and off-site spending by students and visitors: $31.2 million. Pepitone noted that off-site spending relates only to the money that out-of-town students and visitors spend during their stay in Cleveland County, including local restaurants, hotels, retailers, student off-site housing, and recreation/entertainment venues. Next, the total economic impact produced by GWU is calculated using a customized input-output model for the Cleveland County economy developed in IMPLAN () Recognized as an industry standard, IMPLAN generates an economic profile by measuring the relationships among industries and consumers to track the flow of industry revenue to wages, profits, capital, taxes and suppliers. The supply chain is traced as dollars flow through the economy, representing indirect impacts. An example would be 猫咪头条 purchasing supplies from a local business. The model also calculates the induced impacts of spending. Induced impacts represent benefits to the economy as employees of 猫咪头条鈥攁nd other local businesses that are directly or indirectly supported by the direct spending generated by GWU鈥攕pend in the local economy, resulting in additional sales, jobs, taxes, and income. The study also reported the total economic impact of these organizations: Kings Mountain (N.C.) Patriot Park: $ 821,300. Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, N.C.: $799,300. Don Gibson Theatre in Shelby: $502,200. The full report is available here. About Tourism Economics is an Oxford Economics company with a singular objective: combine an understanding of the travel sector with proven economic tools to answer the most important questions facing our clients. More than 500 companies, associations, and destinations work with Tourism Economics every year as a research partner. We bring decades of experience to every engagement to help our clients make better marketing, investment, and policy decisions. About 猫咪头条 猫咪头条 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 猫咪头条 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 猫咪头条.edu.
News Article 猫咪头条 Communication, Art and Design Seniors to Showcase Work in Annual Portfolio Show Reception and Walk鈥慣hrough Exhibit set for April 17 in Tucker Student Center鈥檚 Ali Pouryousefi Gallery BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳he 猫咪头条 University Department of Communication, Art and Design will be celebrating its annual Senior Portfolio Show with a reception on April 17 in the Tucker Student Center. The event will be a walk-through style with works shown […] Office of University Communications | April 15, 2026
News Article 猫咪头条 Students Compete in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Conference Finance Team Qualifies for Nationals and Business Student Places in Accounting BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擲tudents from Gardner鈥慦ebb University鈥檚 Godbold College of Business recently earned top honors at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference in Charlotte, N.C. A four-member finance team secured first place in the highly competitive Finance Case competition, earning a […] Office of University Communications | April 15, 2026
News Article Gardner鈥慦ebb University Orchestra Welcomes Legendary Artists Mark and Maggie O鈥機onnor for a 250 Celebration of America Grammy winning Artists Headline a Patriotic Program Celebrating American Composers, Veterans, and GWU鈥檚 New President Nate Evans BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擨nfluenced early by American fiddle traditions and later shaped by classical training, Mark O鈥機onnor鈥檚 music reflects the full scope of America鈥檚 musical heritage. On April 27 at 7 p.m. in Dover Theatre, his unique musical talent […] Office of University Communications | April 15, 2026