Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) is providing so much more than affordable education and career technical training to its service area in North Alabama. According to an independent study conducted by Lightcast, a global leader in market analytics, NACC contributes $137 million to the local economy.

The report details NACC’s total economic impact, finding that Northeast contributes 2.6% of the area’s gross regional product (GRP). One out of every 28 jobs in the NACC service area is supported by the activities of NACC and its students.

“At Northeast, we believe the impact of the community college goes far beyond access to a great education. We are proud of the tremendous economic impact provided by the college,” stated NACC President Dr. David Campbell.

NACC’s operations spending impact can be felt throughout the region by way of Northeast employees. 79% of NACC’s 386 full-time and part-time employees during FY 2023-34 also live in the region, generating $21.8 million to the local economy and supporting 427 jobs.

“Aside from the educational opportunities that Northeast provides, the college is like a major industry or business in our area, employing some 400 people full and part time,” Dr. Campbell stated. “This brings in a yearly payroll and expenditures upwards of $18 million.” Additionally, the report noted the college spent another $10.2 million on facilities, supplies, and professional services.

Thousands of Northeast alumni are greatly impacting the area as well. According to Lightcast, the net impact of NACC’s former students currently employed in the regional workforce amounted to $104.9 million in added income in FY 2023-24.

Report highlights:

• 2,359 service area jobs are supported by NACC.
• Northeast continues to invest in capital projects to maintain and create new facilities, resulting in a construction spending impact of $7.3 million.
• Student spending generated $2.9 million in added income for the regional economy.
• In FY 2023-24, NACC served 4,012 for-credit and 4,709 non-credit students.

While Northeast’s impact in its service area is quite substantial, the Alabama Community College System colleges generate $8.1 billion for the state’s economy through its 24 unique institutions. The contributions of students and alumni of ACCS institutions make up the equivalent of 3% of Alabama’s total gross state product.

The report also states Alabama’s community colleges support 114,043 jobs in Alabama, which is equivalent to one in every 26 jobs. Some students, who might have otherwise left Alabama for higher education, stayed because of the opportunities available at the state’s community colleges. In the 2023-24 school year, 3% of ACCS students were from out of state, with some relocating to Alabama specifically to attend a community college.

While the ACCS plays a role in attracting and retaining talent, its greatest impact comes from its graduates. In FY 2023-24 alone, ACCS alumni generated $6.9 billion in added income, supporting the equivalent of 96,200 jobs in Alabama.

Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics for colleges and universities, analyzed data using FY 2023-24 academic and financial reports from ACCS and NACC, as well as industry and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau.