<p>"UF has a $6 billion impact on the state."</p>
<p>By Jessica DaSilva</p>
<p>In a presentation to UF's Board of Trustees during its strategic discussion before its meeting, UF President Bernie Machen said if UF were a corporation, it would be the 16th largest corporation in the Florida.</p>
<p>With a budget of $4.377 billion, UF is even larger than Outback Steakhouse.</p>
<p>Machen said UF's Bureau of Economic and Business Research estimated that UF has more than a $6 million impact on Florida's economy. Correction 9/25: $6 billion.</p>
<p>"The Legislature is increasingly aware and recognizes that," he said.</p>
<p>Shands at UF provides about 25,000 jobs, which is almost a quarter of the total job market in this part of Florida, he said.</p>
<p>"We are an economic engine in the truest sense," Machen said.</p>