CANTON — St. Lawrence University’s economic impact on the North Country increased by nearly $15 million during the years 2012 and 2013 to $276 million, compared to the prior two-year period.

That’s according to a study that the Rochester–based Center of Governmental Research (CGR) conducted on behalf of the New York’s Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (or CICU).

Growth at St. Lawrence University is driving the increase in the school’s economic impact, says Ben Dixon, coordinator of regional development at the university.

“We’re serving more students, we’re expanding our program, our physical plant has grown accordingly, and all of that means more impact to the local economy,” says Dixon.

He spoke with CNYBJ on Jan. 29.

The CGR report indicated that St. Lawrence University’s spending in the region totaled $115.5 million in 2013, while construction spending contributed another $8.75 million, according to a news release that St. Lawrence University issued in mid-January about the study’s findings.

“We now have open on campus a new residence hall, Kirk Douglas Hall, [which] is … home to over 150 students,” says Dixon.

The construction on the $14 million project continued into the winter of 2014, the school said in the news release.

At the same time, St. Lawrence directly employed 880 people, and it helped create or support an additional 1,000 jobs in the region.

Dixon also estimates labor compensation, including salaries and wages and annual construction-labor costs, contributes another $105 million.

“And then there’s another $22 million that is from student and visitor impact,” he adds.

The three private colleges of the North Country — Clarkson University, Paul Smith’s College, and St. Lawrence University — contributed $680 million to the region, which included more than $69 million in student and visitor spending. The three institutions directly employed nearly 2,000 people and helped create another 210 construction jobs.

“Higher education is a proven and powerful economic catalyst, bringing benefits to host communities,” William Fox, president of St. Lawrence University, contended in the news release. “Through creating and maintaining jobs, purchasing of goods and services, spending by students, families and alumni visitors, and other financial contributions, colleges help propel economic development, a mission we take very seriously.”

The study indicated that New York’s independent colleges and universities contributed $74.3 billion to the state’s economy in 2013, up by $11.1 billion, or 17.6 percent, since 2011. In addition, New York’s independent-college sector directly employs 190,500 people, an increase of nearly 10,000 jobs, or 5 percent, since 2011.