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Economic Impact

BrunswickFor over 200 years, Bowdoin College's cultural, educational, and economic contributions to Brunswick, Greater Midcoast Region, and the State of Maine have been important drivers of stable employment and investment in local businesses. The College has also made—and continues to make—significant financial contributions to local non-profits and municipalities.

This year, Bowdoin is the 23rd largest private employer in Maine. The College has contributed over $40 million in salaries to Brunswick area residents, more than $16.8 million in purchases from Maine vendors (of which $3.5 million were spent in Brunswick), and attracted thousands of visitors to the Midcoast area.

The collection of data below may be used as a reference to document Bowdoin's ongoing economic impact and contributions.  Download a PDF of this information.

Employment

Bowdoin College Total Employment

  • 200 Faculty (Full Time Equivalent)
  • 320 Administrators (Full Time Equivalent)
  • 350 Support Staff (Full Time Equivalent)
  • 870 Total Employees 

(As of September 2012)

Largest Employers in Brunswick

500 – 1000 employees:

  • Bowdoin College
  • Mid Coast Hospital

250 – 499 employees:

  • Bisson Moving & Storage
  • Downeast Energy
  • LL Bean Manufacturing
  • Wal-Mart

(As of June 2012. Source: Maine Dept. of Labor)

Employment Rank of Bowdoin College in Maine

23rd Largest Private Employer in Maine

(As of 1st Quarter 2012. Source: Maine Dept. of Labor, Center for Workforce Research)

Bowdoin College Total Payroll

$60.8 Million

(Year Ending June 30, 2012)

Bowdoin College Salaries Paid to Area Residents*

$40.6 Million

(Year Ending June 30, 2012) * includes Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Freeport, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Topsham, and West Bath.

Bowdoin College Salaries Paid to Brunswick Residents

$27.7 Million

(Year Ending June 30, 2012)

Taxes and Fees

Ten Largest Tax Payers in Brunswick

  1. Bath Iron Works
  2. FPL EnergyMaine Hydro LLC
  3. Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Association
  4. Developers Diversified Cooks Corner LP
  5. Affordable Midcoast Housing, LLC
  6. Wal-Mart Stores
  7. Thornton Oaks Homeowners Assn Corp
  8. W/S Brunswick Properties LP
  9. Central Maine Power Company
  10. Bowdoin College

(Year Ending June 30, 2012. Source: Town of Brunswick Tax Assessor)

Property Taxes Paid by Bowdoin College

$209,788

(Year Ending June 30, 2012)

Fees Paid by Bowdoin College to the Town of Brunswick

  • $8,268 Tipping Fees (Refuse, dump fees)
  • $3,173 Vehicle Licensing and Other Fees
  • $1,141 License and Permit Fees
  • $5,847 Fire/Police/Rescue Details, Alarms & Related Fees

$18, 429 $18,429 Total Fees Paid

(Year Ending June 30, 2012)

State Sales and Use Tax Collected by Bowdoin College

$185,793

(Year Ending June 30, 2012)

State Income Taxes Collected by Bowdoin College

$3 Million

(Year Ending June 30, 2012)

Charitable and Other Contributions

Annual Value of Common Good Grant

$17,850 donated to 9 local non-profits

(Year Ending June 30, 2012)

Amount Bowdoin College and Bowdoin Employees Contributed to United Way and Maine Share

$128,971

(2011 Campaign – amount donated calendar year 2012)

Community Investment

Goods and Services Purchased by Bowdoin College from Area* Vendors

*Includes vendors located in Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Freeport, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Topsham and West Bath.

$4.9 Million

(Year Ending June 30, 2012 including Brunswick Vendors)

Goods and Services Purchased by Bowdoin College from Maine Vendors

$16.8 Million

(Year Ending June 30, 2012)

Number of Prospective Students Who Visited Campus

6,840 Students

(Year Ending June 30, 2012)

Estimated Annual Number of Visitors to Midcoast Maine for Select Bowdoin Ceremonies and Events

  • Baccalaureate 2,300
  • Commencement 3,400
  • Homecoming and Reunion Weekends 2,600
  • Family Weekend 1,643

Community Service and Volunteerism

Estimated Number of Volunteer Positions Filled by Bowdoin College Students

1,916 Service Positions

(Several positions may be filled by a single student) (Academic Year 11-12)

Estimated Total Number of Volunteer Hours Contributed by Bowdoin College Students

54,197 Total Hours of Service

(Academic Year 11-12)

Maine Students at Bowdoin College

Unless otherwise noted, the source of all data is Bowdoin College.