A new Washtenaw County study says a local investment of $4.4 million in non-profit agencies has an economic impact of over $90 million. The non-profits provide assistance to the community well beyond the direct help individuals receive.
SEE ALSO: Washtenaw County Looking At Adding Program to Help Businesses
Director of the Office of Community and Economic Development, Mary Jo Callan says unfortunately non-profits as a sector are underfunded and it will take more than government action to solve the funding problems.
“This report provides a clear justification for the continued investment in our local nonprofit sector – in addition to providing critical services to vulnerable residents, these small businesses save taxpayers money by preventing the need for costlier government services and impact our local economy through their direct employment and purchasing power.” -Mary Jo Callan, Director of the Office of Community & Economic Development for Washtenaw County
Callan adds that benefits non-profits provide the community include bringing in 10 dollars of outside funding for every 1 dollar of local funds, stabilizing the local work force, jobs, and spending money at local businesses. She says this assistance is needed as the economic recovery continues to not reach lower income residents.
Read the full 2013 Nonprofit Economic Impact Report.
— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.
