KANSAS OUTLOOK
In 2018, Kansas total nonfarm employment is projected to increase by 0.1 percent, adding approximately 2,000 jobs, with a range of expected growth between negative 0.2 percent and positive 0.5 percent.
CEDBR Director Jeremy Hill comments: "If Kansas employment growth was running a marathon, the state would be toward the back of the pack, as compared to other states. Sometimes in a marathon a successful race is not to gain a trophy; rather to simply make it across the finish line. Over the last couple of years, the state economy has diverted from what is going on nationally, as core sectors within Kansas remain weak. The state economy is expected to see continued slow-predictable growth in 2018."
WICHITA OUTLOOK
Wichita total nonfarm employment is forecast to increase by 1,496 jobs, growing 0.5 percent, with an expected growth range between 0.3 percent and 0.8 percent.
CEDBR Director Jeremy Hill comments: "Employment numbers in Wichita were revised up slightly from the fall forecast. Increased growth is not attributed to any one sector, rather a byproduct of revisions in the data. Optimism abounds within the region. Although employment, output and wages are growing slower than expected, the community's "fans" may help the home team pull off some additional wins in 2018, more than what otherwise might be expected."
Read the detailed forecasts.