MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The coffee is brewing again at campus shops, boutiques are restocking their shelves, and downtown restaurants are preparing for their busiest season.

Georgia College & State University is back in session, and with it comes a $333 million annual economic boost to Central Georgia .

The university announced it's welcoming more than 7,200 students this fall — its largest enrollment ever . Since 2022, applications have grown more than 50 percent, reflecting the school's rising profile and the economic ripple effects that follow.

At coffee shops near campus, the difference is immediate. Bailey Warr, who works at a local café, sees it in both energy and sales figures. Students "bring a good energy to the town, they bring a good energy to the shops, sales have been go

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