College students in the greater Valparaiso community make a very positive and significant economic impact on the local economy.
Nearly 3,500 students – including law, graduate, and international students - are anticipated this fall on the Valparaiso University campus. Many of these students make their home here for at least nine months of the year, not to mention those who stay all year to work, intern, or continue their studies. These students patronize our restaurants and our service businesses, and shop at our local stores. Many also live off campus and commute back and forth, shopping for everything from gas to groceries. If parents come to visit, the opportunity to showcase and shop Valparaiso is even greater. At those times, the expenditures are multiplied and include special meals out and hotel room reservations.
In addition to Valparaiso University, we have Ivy Tech Community College and the Purdue University North Central campuses-- both locally and at Westville. These campuses also offer a nice boost for our local economy. Rather than attending college elsewhere, these students stay close to home, spending dollars here.
The bottom line? There is a real and unique economic engine that can be captured by local businesses in Valparaiso, because of the growing student population. We are fortunate to have such a great asset which sets us apart from most other communities. Millions of dollars are spent by students in our community each year.
One way the Valparaiso Chamber helps our members capture this student business is by offering the opportunity to advertise in our annual U-Guide or University Student Resource Guide. This publication is distributed to all the local campuses - inside every student’s mail box at VU, and at convenient distribution spots at other campuses. Advertisers are also given a Welcome poster for their window, and an online link to their business.
I encourage all businesses that want to provide goods or services to the university students in Valparaiso to contact Danielle in our office about participating in our U-Guide. We must remember that many times a great opportunity is right before our eyes.
Rex G. Richards
President