From buying local products and services to employing some 4,800 people, Brock University’s impact on Niagara is immense.

A new policy brief set to be released by the Niagara Community Observatory (NCO) Wednesday, Oct. 10 will give an updated snapshot of the University’s economic impact.

“This brief will offer a glimpse into the economic impact Brock’s students, faculty and staff have on Niagara and beyond,” said NCO Director Charles Conteh. “It’s important to note this is a pilot project that sets the initial template for a longer process over the years of finessing our understanding of Brock’s economic and social footprint in Niagara.

The policy brief points out Brock University, with a record enrolment of more than 19,000 students, has an annual operating budget of $320 million and a payroll of more than $212 million.

Co-authored by Brock Associate Professor of Geography and Tourism Studies Jeff Boggs and master’s student Lauren Peddle (BA ’18) the brief focuses primarily on economics, but acknowledges the University’s impact in other areas such as community engagement, research and innovation.

What: Launch of policy brief “The Brock University Effect: How thousands of students and millions of dollars energize the economy of Niagara communities.”

When: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 9 to 11 a.m.

Where: Pond Inlet, Brock University

Who: NCO Director Charles Conteh; Brief co-authors Jeff Boggs and Lauren Peddle; Brock President Gervan Fearon; Vice-President, Research Tim Kenyon; Vice-President, Administration Brian Hutchings; Panelists Mishka Balsom (GNCC), Rino Mostacci (Niagara Region), David Oakes (City of St. Catharines) and Peter Tiidus (Dean, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University).