GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) -- A recently-released study, commissioned by the Salvation Army, shows how the Kroc Center has had a financial impact on Grand Rapids and the 25 other communities that have a Kroc Center.
The Grand Rapids Kroc Center, located on South Division Avenue, accounts for more than $8 million dollars of an annual $258-million dollar impact made by Kroc Centers nationwide.
Kroc Centers are typically found in under-served communities. The people behind the centers say they enhance the quality of life in those areas by offering a safe environment with an emphasis on fitness and health.
"The idea is that we're able to really change the lives of the people in this neighborhood," said Kroc Center spokesman Jon Shaner. "So we're really trying to serve a group of people that may not have access to a facility like this otherwise and that's really why we're here and the study shows we're really having the impact Mrs. Kroc envisioned."
According to a release, researchers looked at six areas to come up with their findings.
- Direct spending by the centers to hire full-time and part-time staff and to buy local goods and services.
- Various catalyzing or leveraging economic values for center users including membership subsidies, scholarships, space and in-kind support to people and community-serving programs.
- The value of people getting and staying healthier.
- Magnet effect of included spending in the local community by center visitors.
- The value of day care that allows parents to work.
- Outdoor recreation space.
