Despite these numbers, and others included in the study, the appropriations from the state have dwindled, even before the budget impasse.

According to Eastern figures dating back five years, there has been a continued decline in state financial support to the university. In fiscal year 2012, the university received near $47 million, however in 2015, the university got a full appropriation, they received almost $43 million.

Angela Griffin, Coles Together president, said the idea to conduct such as study was percolating for a while before actually pulling the trigger on the study, starting in fall 2015. The organization was wondering if it had been measured or quantified in a while.

“It turns out it had not,” Griffin said.

An internal study done by Eastern in 2000 was the last time a comparable study of the university’s impact on the area had been conducted.

For Griffin and Coles Together, it became clear there was a need for the study after the start of the budget impasse that still has yet to waver between lawmakers in Springfield.