RHINELANDER - In a tough and volatile economy, one industry that remains stable is healthcare.

That's according to a report released today by UW-Extension and the Wisconsin Hospitals Association.

St. Mary's hospital in Rhinelander plays a vital role in the local economy--helping generate an economic impact that's staggering.

Ministry Healthcare's hospitals and clinics employ over 2,000 people in four counties. They have a payroll of over 100-million dollars--money that's staying right here.

Brian Kief is CEO of the Northern Region for Ministry Health Care. Kief says, "We pay a local person here their salary, they need to buy insurance for their home or for their car or maybe they need a new car and they go to the car dealership, the local dealership and buy a car."

Kief says a report released today shows just how important Wisconsin hospitals are to the local economy.

He tells Newswatch 12, "It's a real circle, and we take our role in that circle very seriously as a real partner in our community."

The report authored by the Wisconsin Hospital Association and UW-Extension say statewide hospitals generate over $22 billion for the state economy. Here in Oneida County, UW-Extension Department head Dan Kuzlik says the impact is $56 million.

Kuzlik says, "If we didn't have these hospitals that we have up here and the healthcare facilities, people would be spending those dollars out of our area they still would be buying health care services but those dollars wouldn't turn over right here in our county."

It's not just hospitals the play a role in the state and local economy, area healthcare clinics contribute as well.

Kuzlik adds, "Aspirus, Marshfield Clinic, along with St. Mary's and the regular full service hospitals and clinics too. All those healthcare providers are taken into account."

The result a $200 million impact felt by everyone in Oneida County.

Kuzlik says while the specific numbers may be for Oneida County--other counties in the area with a hospital experience similar economic impacts.