David Ward comments on campuses as economic engines
Veteran newsman Steve Walters has a guest column in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the relative abundance of higher educational institutions in Wisconsin. He concedes that neighboring states have even more, but the count here is 26 UW System campuses, 16 technical colleges (not including branch campuses) and 20 private colleges and universities. He quotes our favorite economist, former UW-Green Bay interim chancellor David Ward, now of NorthStar Economics. The comments from Ward suggest dramatic change is unlikely in the short run. Campuses bring too much economic benefit to their local economies (with a multiplier of roughly $10 for every dollar in direct spending). Read column.