SAN MARCOS -- San Marcos residents are aware of the impact that the 27,600 students living there have on their community.
Whether it's for better or worse - depends on who you ask. But what about for richer or poorer?
A new study puts a dollar sign on how much Texas State's marriage to the community is worth. The study, released this week, says Texas State has a $2.2 billion dollar economic impact statewide, with more than $1 billion directly impacting Hays County.
In addition, the university contributed to the generation of 29,000 statewide and about 17,000 full time positions in Hays County.
Chase Katz graduated from Texas State in 2009 and permanently relocated to San Marcos to open several businesses.
While his bar, Zelick Icehouse, is a popular hangout for locals, Katz says his kolache bakery and pizza shop could not survive without Texas State.
"When students go out of town, just like this weekend for Thanksgiving, the business drops substantially," said Katz.
Katz said he hopes the partnership between the university and community will yield better jobs for graduates in the future.
"What I hope is different is more businesses, larger businesses recognize San Marcos as a great place to be," he said.
Greater San Marcos Partnership President Adriana Cruz says lots of Texas State's growth has been geared toward that goal.
"Texas state has been very strategic and very focused, as they grow. How are they going to grow? And in what ways can they grow that benefits not only our region but the state of Texas," she said.
Some of those answers can be found in the school's investment in the STAR park. It's a business park dedicated to businesses that focus on science, technology and advanced research
"Those are definitely assets that we utilize on a daily basis to market companies considering relocation and expansion here." said Cruz.
The study also states that every dollar spent by a student generates $1.43 in economic activity for Hays County.
