An independent study commissioned byEmory Universityshows that the nationally ranked research university is an important dynamo underpinning a strong economy and quality of life in Metro Atlanta and theState of Georgia.

As the fourth-largest private employer in Metro Atlanta,Emoryaccounts for more than$5.1 billionin economic activity and supports directly and indirectly almost 50,000 jobs inGeorgia, according to the analysis performed by Appleseed, Inc., aNew York Cityeconomic analysis firm.

In Fiscal Year 2010,Emory University, including Emory Healthcare, spent more than$2.5 billionon payroll, purchasing and construction, the study showed. Including economic activity directly and indirectly generated byEmory's visitors, students and joint ventures,Emoryregistered a total impact onGeorgiaof more than$5.1 billionper year.

Emoryresearchers—working primarily, but not exclusively, in the university's Woodruff Health Sciences Center —generated$450 millionin sponsored research spending and were awarded$535 millionin new research funding. Most of this total represents competitively awarded funding coming from outside the state, attracting new dollars for expenditure inGeorgia; in FY2011, total awards rose to nearly$540 million.

Looking ahead, the study reported thatEmoryanticipates spending more than$780 millionin construction and renovation projects for both the university and healthcare system in the next five years. This investment should lead to the creation of additional jobs in a construction industry eager to rebound.

EmoryPresidentJames W. Wagner, noting that the economic impact study was commissioned to commemorateEmory's 1836 founding as a small college inOxford, Georgia, said: "In this, the 175th anniversary year ofEmory's charter, we take great satisfaction in what these many decades of work by innumerable faculty, students and staff have accomplished for all of us—inAtlanta, Georgia, the nation and the world."

He added: "And we feel equal gratitude for the support of so many friends and partners in this rewarding work of teaching, discovery, health care and community service. We have been beneficiaries of remarkable support by the federal government, the state government (especially from the Georgia Research Alliance and the Georgia Cancer Coalition), many private foundations and countless donors, including both alumni and other friends. We are proud of our affiliations and partnerships, including those with Children's Healthcare ofAtlanta, the VA Medical Center, Grady, the CDC, the American Cancer Society,Georgia Techand so many others."

The report also listed many respects in whichEmorycontributes toGeorgia's human capital and overall quality of life. About 41,000 of the university's 109,000 alumni live in the state ofGeorgia, while about one-quarter ofGeorgia's physicians have been trained atEmory, many inEmory University School of Medicineresidency programs at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Nearly nine out of 10 students atEmoryregularly volunteer in the community, many through Volunteer Emory, a clearinghouse founded by two undergraduates in 1980.

As a substantial contributor to the culture of the region, the arts attract nearly 100,000 people to performances and events throughout the year, making the arts second only toEmory's health care operations for bringing people to the campus. The university's Carlos Museum, which has one of the premier collections of ancient art in the Southeast, provides free tours, lectures and other programs for children, families, adults and senior citizens. The museum galleries were host to more than 72,000 visitors in 2010.