From campus to community: How COA powers local life and economy
College of the Atlantic generates lasting economic, social, and cultural benefits for its surrounding communities, supporting jobs, local businesses, and civic life year-round.
In the new College of the Atlantic Economic Impact Analysis prepared by RKG Associates, Inc., in collaboration with The Musson Group, COA’s far-reaching contributions to the region are highlighted. The report shows that the college’s people, programs, and operations do more than support the local economy—they strengthen the social and environmental fabric of the community. Through a combination of spending, employment, capital projects, and student and visitor activity, COA and its alumni strengthen and create local businesses, sustain jobs, and bring new resources into the Maine economy.
In fiscal year 2024, COA’s operations supported an estimated $16.9 million in additional economic output, contributing to state and local GDP and sustaining 189 jobs across direct, indirect, and induced activities. Over the past four years, COA’s capital projects have added $29.2 million in cumulative value to the regional economy and supported more than 300 construction-related jobs. Combined operations, wages, and student spending generated approximately $1.2 million in state and local tax revenues, plus another $108,987 in direct property tax payments.
“College of the Atlantic was envisioned in the late 1960s by Bar Harbor residents Father James Gower, a local parish priest and peace activist, and Les Brewer, a businessman, as an institution that could strengthen the year-round intellectual, cultural, and economic life of Mount Desert Island. They were joined by community members and summer residents who shared their vision that a thriving college could help sustain a thriving island community,” said COA President Sylvia Torti. “More than 50 years later, we’re proud to see that vision realized through the college’s enduring contributions to the region’s economy, culture, and community well-being. We remain deeply grateful for the partnership and support of our neighbors, who make this shared success possible.”
Students, faculty, and staff play a central role in these impacts. The average COA student spends about $258 a month at local businesses, amounting to an estimated $744,000 annually. Faculty and staff contribute year-round through local spending, volunteering, and civic leadership, while also bringing grants, expertise, and cultural programming that enrich the island’s life and attract residents and visitors alike. Many are active in the arts, environmental initiatives, and education. Alumni, faculty, and staff who remain in the region often start businesses, lead organizations, and strengthen local institutions, reinforcing COA’s role as both an economic engine and a hub of community engagement.
These impacts extend well beyond the numbers. Faculty, staff, and students strengthen civic life and the year-round economy through volunteerism, leadership, and sustained engagement. Alumni continue this cycle—many remaining in Maine to apply their education in environmental science, agriculture, education, and other professional fields, founding businesses, and contributing to a skilled, values-driven workforce.
Taken together, the findings affirm that College of the Atlantic is not only a source of millions in annual economic activity but also an essential institutional anchor—linking education, science, the environment, and enterprise to create lasting value for Maine and the Mount Desert Island region.