William Carey University president talks expansion, impact on state

William Carey University had some good news and good numbers to share Tuesday when it presented the findings of a 10-year economic impact analysis.

The university announced an economic impact of $135 million annually for the Hattiesburg and Tradition campuses combined.

Those numbers likely will increase with WCU President Dr. Ben Burnett’s announcement that the university has bought 107 acres across from the campus.

“We have bought 107 acres and it’s directly across from our campus — undeveloped land. And so we we’ll be able to, over the next couple of decades, expand the Hattiesburg campus just like we are trying to expand the Gulf Coast campus,” Burnett said.

A capital campaign launched last fall will help build the endowment fund and provide money for campus projects, Burnett said.

One project at the Tradition campus that is in the works is a $4.5 million project to build residential housing.

“We’re no longer just a little ol’ college branch on the Gulf Coast,” Burnett said. “We’re now turning into more of a four-year university on the Gulf Coast. And that’s our hope.”

Burnett said he hopes to have construction on the housing begin later this year and have the townhouse residential housing ready for occupancy in Fall 2026.