ommunications and utilities reflects purchases made within the state of Idaho. Pocatello-based firms account for $1.9 million (45%) of this amount. The total includes telephone, gas and electric utility purchases. Whether these purchases accrue to Pocatello or to some other regional Idaho economy is difficult to assess, given the previously stated caution regarding regional offices and billing addresses.During 1995-96, the University made significant purchases of land and buildings ($6.6 million), all of which are located within the Pocatello economic area. Nearly all of the remaining $1.8 million from this category involves the purchase of insurance policies and services from companies located outside of the state of Idaho.Supplies and equipment combine to make up the single largest category of University expenditures. More than $11.6 million is expended annually on a variety of office supplies, scientific laboratory supplies and equipment, and a myriad of education-related supplies. These materials and supplies comprise about $5.2 million of the category total, with the remaining $6.4 million devoted to data processing, computing, and transportation purchases. Nearly half (46%) of the combined total of $11.6 million is expended within the Pocatello area, with almost the entire remaining amount going to out-of-state firms. The University operates several auxiliary enterprises, which have their own budgets and produce their own revenue. Examples include food services, student housing, the University bookstore and the University’s motor pool operations. Combined, these auxiliary services receive about $20 million in customer revenue from students, faculty and staff, from university departments, and from customers outside of the University. To the extent that these auxiliary enterprises make purchases of goods for resale, those purchases are considered a part of the University’s expenditure contribution to Idaho’s econom...
