FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Fresno State's business school conducted a new economic impact report showing significant support for the Central Valley's economy.  Based on the report produced by the Craig School of Business, university-related activities are generating close to $1 billion in annual economic activity. California taxpayers will receive a 6.23% return on investments in the university.  "There's quite a bit of research that shows having a college degree will help to elevate not only the individual's socioeconomic status, it helps elevate their entire family and ultimately the community," Dr. Julie Olson-Buchanan, Dean of the Craig School of Business said.  The report shows Fresno State's total effect of university spending and employment on San Joaquin Valley business sales, worker income, job creation and tax revenue. Dr. Olson-Buchanan says the report is a testament to the university's long-term possibilities. "It calculates exactly how much the university already does, but it also gives us an idea of what more we could do in our community," Olson-Buchanan said.  Dr. Antonio Avalos, chair of the Economics Department, conducted the report, showing an annual average of $954 million in business sales and $391 million in worker income contributed to the study. But he says it goes beyond the numbers. "We really need to keep in mind that when we talk about $1 billion in sales or, you know, 11,000 jobs, we're talking about human beings," Avalos said.  Avalos says Fresno State will continue to invest in the community. "If you trace every single dollar going out from Fresno State, all throughout the community to hospitals, grocery stores, gas stations, we are talking about $1 billion in business sales," Avalos said.  Avalos says the study shows the university's economic and fiscal impact of investing in the people of the valley.