Gulf Coast State College: Fueling Northwest Florida’s Workforce and Economy

Press Release from Elizabeth Humphries

Panama City, FL – At Gulf Coast State College, we are proud to join our education partners in the region to fuel a vibrant workforce, benefiting our local and state economy. The latest October Lightcast report from the Association of Florida Colleges reveals that the Florida College System contributed an impressive $56.7 billion to our state’s economy in the 2023-24 fiscal year—making up nearly 3.7% of Florida’s total gross product. Locally, GCSC has added $238 million in income to the GCSC Service area economy. This impact was equal to approximately 2.0% of the total gross regional product (GRP) of the GCSC Service area. That’s the kind of impact that puts our College on par with major industries and proves we’re fueling growth and opportunity in our own backyard.

GCSC’s total impact can also be quantified in terms of jobs supported. For example, the $238 million impact supported 3,046 regional jobs. This translates to one out of every 46 jobs in the GCSC Service Area is being supported by the activities of GCSC and its students. To drill down into industry-specific, the Health Care & Social Assistance sector was at the top, supporting 500 jobs in FY 2023-24. This demonstrates how local investment in education directly benefits our community and local businesses.

These achievements are possible because Florida continues to invest in our colleges. Governor Ron DeSantis’ recommendation of $1.9 billion for the Florida College System signals a commitment to our future. Every dollar spent on our colleges returns $2.40 in added tax revenue and reduced public spending—an innovative and impactful investment for all Floridians.

GCSC encourages our leaders and community members to continue to support ongoing investment in the Florida College System. This is how we ensure a strong, skilled workforce and a thriving economy for generations to come.