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Macomb Domino's Owner Jeff Mabrey, third from right, at a WIU Leatherneck Club Advisory Board event on the WIU campus.
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The "Faces" Behind Western's Regional Impact

September 27, 2016

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MACOMB, IL -- In May 2016, the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University released a study detailing the University's economic impact on the region it serves, but behind the numbers, figures and statistics are the partnerships, stories and faces reflecting the true impact of this public, four-year University.

When looking at dollars and cents, Western's economic impact within a 16-county region in central Illinois is approximately $473 million. During FY'15, the University's employment and operations, capital improvement expenditures and student expenditures created or supported 3,904 full- and part-time employment positions, generating nearly $225.5 million in labor income. Counties included are Adams, Brown, Carroll, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jo Davies, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Mercer, Rock Island, Schuyler, Warren and Whiteside.

For Macomb-area business owner Jeff Mabrey, the University's impact is enormous on his locally-owned business, Domino's Pizza.

"WIU was one of the main reasons I moved to Macomb 25 years ago. I relocated here from Missouri because I wanted to be in a college town. When I came to Macomb, I really liked the feel of the University, the people I met, the town, the community," Mabrey said. "WIU means a lot to my business, and I wouldn't be here without Western."

Mabrey explained that college students are a "huge part of his business." Because of what the University provides his business, Mabrey in turn gives back to the University. He and his family are involved with Leatherneck Athletics Club, and he serves as a sponsor and partner for several University activities.

"Not only does WIU provide a population for my business, but it has provided so much more to our family. My wife earned her degree from Western and that has certainly been beneficial to her career. My kids have attended sports camps over the years, and we've had wonderful opportunities to attend a variety of events because of Western being right in our backyard," he added. "Western brings a lot to the community and really adds to the quality of life for those in the region."

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, led by Director Kathy Waters, promotes the development and growth of the Macomb area, and serves as a resource for visitors and residents and as an active voice for business and commerce. According to Waters, the impact of Western Illinois University on the economy of the city of Macomb and surrounding area is immeasurable.

"Visit our stores in July, then again in September and notice the difference," she added. "In addition to the return of thousands of students, the return of many faculty/staff that have been traveling is relevant. The students and employees not only shop in our larger stores, but they also frequent our smaller, local retailers. During move-in weekends or other special events, our hotels, restaurants and gas stations notice a significant increase. Even our banks notice changes in their ATM traffic. All of this generates sales tax dollars to pay for our local services like roads, public safety and other vital community needs."

Macomb Mayor Mike Inman has been quoted many times as stating: "So goes Western, so goes Macomb." Inman noted that the institution is critical to the economy of not only Macomb, but to the greater region.

"It being, by far, the largest non-agricultural employer, the shear impact of payroll is huge," he added. "But the University also provides so much more than just a monetary impact. Without a doubt, the culture of Macomb is enhanced by the diversity the University student population brings. The community is exposed to cultural, athletic and artistic events that a town the size of Macomb would never have access to. Macomb would not be the wonderful place it is to live today if not for WIU."

Looking beyond the money spent in the region because of the University's presence and beyond the arts, entertainment and more that the University provides is to look at the symbol of Western's tradition: education and the local school district. For decades, WIU and the Macomb School District No. 185 -- and before that, with the region's "country schools" -- have had what Macomb Superintendent and Western Alumnus Mark Twomey calls "a wonderful symbiotic relationship."

"There are so many ways we partner with the University it's difficult to capture all the benefits we currently enjoy. While the school district serves as a lab setting for University students to experience and practice their fields of study, our faculty and students are the recipients of that experience," Twomey added. "While these field experiences are a crucial element for the University, it is all the other ways we currently partner that makes this relationship so special. Western Illinois University and Macomb School District have made a commitment to each other, to broaden our reach and to connect in ways that enhance both organizations."

For example, Twomey pointed out, the district's READ 100 initiative is designed to ensure all third graders leave Lincoln School reading on grade level, and WIU has been an integral part of this initiative by helping to develop the framework for monitoring student progress and providing the research behind specific interventions. Western faculty developed a schedule that will allow for its students' classroom time to be spent at Lincoln, while at the same time the University's Department of Kinesiology is working with the district's Physical Education Department to create a robust K-12 curriculum, called "Fit Mind, Fit Bodies."

"Another obvious benefit of having Western in our backyard is the opportunity for our faculty to earn advanced degrees. WIU has been and remains very flexible while working with the schedules of our teachers," he said. "WIU and Macomb Schools are also currently working together to enhance professional development opportunities for district employees and to find ways to help us develop 21st century teaching and learning environments. We are so fortunate to have Western Illinois University in our backyard."

Since the University first opened its doors on Sept. 23, 1902, the University has contributed culturally, economically and many more ways to the regions it serves, and beyond.

"When the state's legislative leaders voted in 1899 to establish Western Illinois State Normal School, they charted the course to build Macomb into an economic engine for this region," noted WIU President Jack Thomas. "While the institution's monetary contributions are significant to McDonough County and beyond, we provide so much more, and our communities provide us with so much. We are proud to be a part of the Macomb and Quad Cities communities, and to provide outstanding opportunities to the regions we serve."

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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