Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College continue to be important drivers of the economy in the region, according an annual survey on the economic impact of University System of Georgia institutions released Wednesday. The survey reveals that Georgia Southern had a $524 million economic impact on Statesboro and Bulloch County, and accounted for more than 6,500 jobs in fiscal 2012. “Despite the tough economic times we faced in the last several years, Georgia Southern continues to grow, provide a high quality education and generate jobs for so many people,” explained Brooks Keel, Ph.D., the president of Georgia Southern.