Roseville, Calif. – The University of Warwick today updated Placer County officials as the U.K.-based institution moves forward with plans for a campus in Placer County and unveiled a study that estimates the campus would have an annual economic impact of nearly $600 million by its 10th year of operation.
In a presentation to the Placer County Board of Supervisors, Warwick representative Bob Hogg said the university is working on building research partnerships and anticipates offering two graduate programs in 2018, with efforts beginning in 2017 to recruit students, subject to regulatory approvals in California. The university is working to secure a location in Roseville for those programs.
“The University of Warwick is excited to be making significant progress in our efforts to begin operations in Placer County,” Mr. Hogg said. “We have already started to build long-term relationships and partnerships and appreciate the support of Placer County in this effort.”
Kyriakos Tsakopoulos, President and CEO of the University Development Foundation, which is working with the University of Warwick on the campus plan, said the latest developments represent great progress.
“The University of Warwick is a world-class institution that will make a significant contribution to our region,” Mr. Tsakopoulos said. “We are gratified by all the local support and will continue to work in partnership with university officials as they prepare their first course offerings in Roseville and advance plans for a permanent campus west of Roseville.”
Mr. Hogg presented findings from a new report commissioned by the Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council about the impact of a University of Warwick campus.
The report found:Â
- The proposed university could have an economic impact of $584.2 million on the greater Sacramento economy in its 10th year of operations, including direct impacts and impacts from vendor purchases and employee and student spending.
- The university could directly support an estimated 1,250 jobs and $110 million in payroll in addition to supporting about 2,300 jobs and $74.8 million in annual payroll at other local businesses.
- University spending for purchases of goods and services could generate annual economic impact of $96.1 million in the region by year 10 and student spending could support another 1,100 jobs in the region.
Placer County Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Weygandt, speaking on behalf of the board, said the county is encouraged by the progress the University of Warwick is making.
“We greatly appreciate the commitment that the entire University has to moving forward with this campus in California,” Supervisor Weygandt said. “The county views this as a very important economic driver for our region’s future, as well as a phenomenal opportunity to provide a world-class education to our own Placer County youth. We will work closely with the university and its supporters to bring this effort to fruition as soon as possible.”
“A robust and dynamic base of higher education institutions is crucial for regional economies to remain competitive, and the University of Warwick would be a fantastic addition to our network of exceptional academic leaders,” said Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council. “The University of Warwick would create jobs, produce talent for our workforce, provide invaluable research and development opportunities from a major private university, and be a tremendous economic driver for the entire region.”
