Provides a rationale for conducting community impact studies and, based on the American Council on Education's research model and on Thomas Nelson Community College's (TNCC's) recent experiences, provides guidelines for conducting economic impact studies. Summarizes the major findings of TNCC's study. (AYC)

Studies of the economic impact of a college on the surrounding community are encouraged and outlined. The data necessary for such a study includes spending by college, faculty, and students; town tax receipts; and visitors' numbers and spending graphically prepared, summarized and released to the media. (JMF)

Reports on Long Beach City College's recent economic impact study. Results show an increased return of personal incomes into the economy, added retail sales for local merchants, and job creation and maintenance. Concludes colleges are resources for positive economic growth and the reduction of unemployment and poverty. (DMM)

Summarizes the results of a statewide economic impact analysis of Maryland's 17 community colleges which revealed that expenditures had positive short-range and long-range impacts on the state economy in the areas of business, general employment, and increased student earning potential. Presents suggestions for conducting impact studies. (MB)

Presents abstracts of documents in the ERIC junior college collection dealing with economic impact studies. Includes annotations of journal articles on the subject. (DD)