Oregon Public Broadcasting

The economic impact of 'Oregon Health & Science University' is about $4 billion a year - according to an analysis conducted by ECO-Northwest.

The analysis was commissioned by the school.

It shows OHSU generates about 35,000 jobs both within its walls and in the community.

But at least some of those jobs come as a result of public funds. The school gets about $40 million dollars a year from the state, and in 2001 the legislature approved an additional $200 million for research.

Vice president Steve Steadum says for every dollar the state invests, OHSU generates about $100.

Steve Steadum: "OHSU's focus is on health and improving the health of Oregonians but doing that successfully I think results in a very strong economic impact for the organization and the region."

OHSU's budget has more than doubled in the last 10 years.

Most of its research money comes from out of state. But it's used to hire scientists, many of whom live in the local community.