1. The Academy represents a smart investment in our intellectual infrastructure.
As our nation’s leaders grapple with the current economic crisis, many Americans recognize the need to invest in our national infrastructure. But “infrastructure” means more than simply bricks and mortar projects such as bridges, roads, schools, and communication networks. We also must invest in our intellectual infrastructure to build the capacity of our citizens to tackle the enormous challenges we face as a nation. As a flagship institution for public leadership, the Public Service Academy will focus on developing young people into strong, capable public sector leaders who will devote their lives to serving the nation. This kind of investment in the intellectual development of young people will not decay over time, and it promises to lay a foundation of talent and leadership for critically important areas of public service.
2. The Academy will be a short-term stimulus and a long-term economic engine for the city and state where it is located.
The development of a high-profile national college will be an attractive opportunity for any mayor or
governor interested in economic development and growth. The Academy legislation calls for an annual
federal appropriation of $205 million to build and sustain the institution. During the first two years of
operation, most of that funding will be directed to building a green campus that will become a landmark in American higher education. This infusion of construction spending will be a short-term boon to the local economy, creating hundreds of jobs in hard-hit industries that need a stimulus. As students matriculate beginning in Year 3, an increasing proportion of the budget will be allocated for instructional expenses, but construction of the campus will remain a priority until the Academy reaches full capacity in Year 10.
3. The Academy will yield economic benefits for generations to come.
With a campus of 5000 students, the Academy will offer hundreds of stable, well-paid jobs that will attract talented people from around the country. Students, faculty, and staff will bring their intellectual and economic resources to the community, thereby strengthening neighborhoods, encouraging healthy economic development, and raising the prestige of the city. In addition to the infusion of federal money, the Academy will generate millions of dollars in enhanced economic activity through ancillary spending by students, faculty, staff, and tourists. In addition, the surrounding community will benefit tremendously from the Academy’s unique, service-oriented curriculum, which will send all Academy students into the community on servicelearning projects throughout their four years on campus. One cost-benefit analysis conducted at the George Washington University’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration found that the economic benefits of the Academy outweighed the costs by an annual amount of $50 million.
