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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Trying out the turf ... Council Corner: Addressing Ashland's asphalt problem ... Walking tours take a trip back through time ... Our View: Trying out the turf ... Council Corner: Addressing Ashland's asphalt problem ... Walking tours take a trip back through time ... OUR VIEW Our View: SOU's economic clout Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Southern Oregon University may be facing challenges that have led to cutbacks in some areas and the elimination of programs and faculty, but the investment the state is making in the university's buildings makes it clear SOU will continue to be a major component of Ashland's economy for years to come. In all, projects beginning in 2010 and continuing well into next year total $132 million, not all of it state money. Some of the funding comes from student fees and some from a private company investing in new dormitories it is leasing and managing. State funding totals about $47 million. From a long-overdue renovation of the science building to the reconstruction of McNeal Pavilion and the remodeling of the theater building, the work makes SOU an even more attractive place to attend college. Besides enriching the culture of the area with music, theater, art, academics and athletics, the university is an economic engine, with more than 6,000 students living and spending money in the community. In addition, the university is the largest employer in Ashland, with 750 employees. When major construction is under way, that employment footprint grows even larger. From 2010 to 2013, for example, about 75 percent of the $50 million in projects went to local contractors. That means SOU provided even more local jobs than usual. The next time you hear someone say, "government doesn't create jobs," you could point to those construction jobs as an example to the contrary.    DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501