While many employees live in the expanding areas of the county west and northwest towards I-75, a substantial number of employees live in the area east of 13th Street, in the portion of Gainesville defined as an economic opportunity zone, and many employees also live in the area east of Main and also east of Waldo Road, as the map above indicates. The widespread distribution of employees throughout the greater Gainesville-Alachua County area indicates the significance of changes in university and affiliate employment patterns. The following map shows the dollars contributed to the local community by compensation received by University of Florida employees. Most economists estimate the multiplier of an employee's compensation for economic impact on the community at about three times the salary. Clearly, then, university employees, wherever they are in the city, county, or state contribute substantially to the economic well being of their communities.
Employment has other impacts as well.
While the direct economic benefits of employment enhance the community's economic prosperity, the indirect benefits contribute as well. A substantial majority of university and affiliate employees receive medical and other fringe benefits that support their quality of life and, incidentally, support the economic activities of the region's various health care providers. Many employees have strong retirement plans, and many choose to stay in the community after retirement, again contributing to the economic vitality of the Gainesville-Alachua County region. However we look at the activities of the university and its affiliates, it is clear that one of the major direct benefits of any university to its community is the employment opportunity it provides to the citizens of that community and the economic prosperity that comes from the activities of these employees.