19 CONCLUSION This study demonstrates TAMIU's multifaceted economic value to Webb County. The University strengthens local businesses through increased regional spending and provides a steady pipeline of skilled graduates who enhance the region's human capital. Beyond these direct economic impacts, TAMIU transforms individual lives by increasing graduates' lifetime earnings and creates broader societal benefits through a more prosperous regional economy. The University's positive economic impact manifests through two key mechanisms: the multiplier effect and return on investment (ROI). The multiplier effect quantifies how TAMIU's spending ripples through the Webb County economy. With a total multiplier of 1.76, every dollar invested in and by TAMIU generates an additional 76 cents in regional economic activity. The employment multiplier of 1.21 indicates that each TAMIU position supports an additional onefifth of a job in the broader economy. As a result, TAMIU's core activities support one out of every 61 jobs in Webb County. When including ancillary impacts, this rises to one out of every 23 jobs in the county. TAMIU also demonstrates strong fiscal efficiency through its return on investment. Against state appropriations of $60.5 million in FY24, the University generated $183 million in economic output from operations and student expenses alone, representing an ROI of 3.0. When including ancillary impacts from alumni and capital expenditures, this ROI increases to 6.2, underlining TAMIU's role as a powerful driver of regional economic growth.
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