Local colleges and universities have a multimillion-dollar impact on local economies, according to a study from the University of Georgia.

In fiscal year 2011, Gainesville State College and North Georgia College & State University had a combined economic impact of more than $377 million.

The report comes from the Selig Center for Economic Growth at UGA and measured the economic impact the University System of Georgia has on the state.

It showed that the system, with its 35 member institutions, has a $13.2 billion impact on the state’s economy.

“Comparisons of the FY 2011 estimates to those for recent years show that our public colleges and universities really proved their economic worth during tough economic times,” said Jeffrey M. Humphreys, director of the Selig Center and study author. “Without exception, each college or university is an economic linchpin of its host community.”

Gainesville State’s individual economic impact, according to the study, was more than $206 million in Hall, Gwinnett, White, Habersham, Lumpkin, Banks and Forsyth counties.

North Georgia’s was more than $171.5 million in Lumpkin, Hall, Dawson, White, Forsyth and Union counties.

“The study shows the important role the university plays in the economic strength of this region and the effect beyond the university’s initial spending,” said Bonita Jacobs, president of North Georgia. “Our students, faculty and staff represent a broad geographic expanse, and their work and study at the university impacts counties throughout the region.”

Most of the impact consists of initial spending by the schools for salaries and benefits, operating supplies and expenses and other budgeted expenditures and student spending in the area.

The rest of the impact is measured through respending in the region. The study estimates that for every dollar the school spends, on average, an additional 38 to 39 cents was generated for the local economy.

“It’s a huge industry and has a huge impact on the community, not to mention the economic impact of having an educated community,” said Randy Pierce, interim president at Gainesville State.

The system generates about 132,000 jobs statewide. Gainesville State generates 2,250 of those and North Georgia generates 1,917.

In 2007, the system generated more than 106,000 jobs.

“That job growth is quite impressive given that the state’s total employment declined by 7 percent during this period,” said Humphreys. “That’s mostly due to rising demand for higher education even when overall economic conditions deteriorate.”

The study measured the impact from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011.