ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Kansas has been making multiple strides in economic development in the past few years and recently, the Kelly Administration released some economic development highlights from last year.
Thursday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced the 2024 Kansas Economic Report shows growth in the state’s labor workforce, continued low unemployment, and record exports. The report, produced by the Labor Market Information Services division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL), comprehensively analyzes the state’s economic health and labor market trends, according to a release from the State of Kansas.
The annual publication highlights critical data on employment, unemployment, labor force participation, job growth, personal income, and more, providing an essential resource for businesses, policymakers, and job seekers.
• Labor Force Growth: In 2023, Kansas saw a 0.6 percent increase in its labor force, adding 8,385 individuals and bringing the total labor force to more than 1.51 million. The number of employed Kansans reached a record high of 1.47 million, reflecting the state’s resilience and ongoing recovery.
• Unemployment Rates: Kansas maintained a low unemployment rate, rising slightly to 2.7 percent in 2023, still well below the national average of 3.6 percent. Despite the modest increase, Kansas continues to outperform the national labor market.
• Job Market Rebounds: Kansas’ nonfarm jobs surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with a total of 1.44 million jobs in 2023. Private sector employment led this growth, adding 23,800 jobs, while the government sector added 3,700 jobs.
• Industry and Occupational Projections: Health care, transportation, and computer-related occupations are expected to grow significantly through 2032. Occupations typically requiring a bachelor’s degree are expected to add the most jobs from 2022 to 2032.
• Export Growth: Kansas’ export market hit a record of $14.1 billion in sales, driven by growth in the transportation equipment and processed foods sectors. However, exports to Kansas' top trade partners—Mexico, Canada, and Japan—have declined over the year.
“The growth we are seeing is encouraging and shows the progress made in revitalizing our state's economy,” Gov. Kelly noted in the State of Kansas release. “This report reinforces my administration’s commitment to making Kansas the best state to live, work, and raise a family.”
“Kansas continues to show resilience in its economic recovery, as demonstrated by rising employment numbers and strong job growth in key sectors,” Kansas Secretary of Labor Amber Shultz noted in the State of Kansas release. “However, demographic challenges such as a shrinking younger population highlight the need for careful attention to workforce development as we plan for the future.”
The report also discusses long-term demographic trends, citing concerns about the state’s aging population and declining numbers of younger workers, which could pose challenges to future labor force sustainability.
To address those issues, the Kansas Department of Commerce has been working with businesses to attract new talent. It recently launched its Love, Kansas campaign to bring those who left the state back to their roots in Kansas.
“It’s simple: we need more humans in Kansas to keep up with the phenomenal economic growth our state is experiencing,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland noted in the State of Kansas release. “The best way to do that is to first approach Kansans who left the state for economic opportunities elsewhere and invite them to build a life in a place they know and have connections to, whether in their hometown or elsewhere in the state. And with the Love, Kansas campaign, we aren’t just extending an invitation to those who once called Kansas home to come back--we’re also inviting families from around the country to build their lives in the Sunflower State.”
The report follows Gov. Kelly’s announcement in June of Kansas receiving its fourth consecutive Gold Shovel Award.
“Earning a fourth Gold Shovel underscores the work my administration is doing to attract business investment and increase job opportunities to continue making Kansas the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Gov. Kelly noted in a June State of Kansas release. “The influx of jobs in every corner of the state is providing the possibilities for young Kansans to start or expand their careers right here at home. Since the start of 2019, Kansas has created 1,180 new economic development projects worth more than $19 billion in private sector investment and created and retained more than 67,000 jobs statewide. Kansas was recognized for its achievement in attracting high-value investment projects that will create a significant number of new jobs throughout the state. In 2023, there were 255 projects totaling almost $3.1 billion in private sector investment and nearly 12,000 jobs created or retained.”
“After years of decline – and Kansans fleeing to other states in search of economic opportunity – the Kelly-Toland Administration has Kansas back on a path of growth,” Toland noted in the June State of Kansas release. “Kansans in every region of our state deserved greater opportunities, and we needed a strategic plan to breathe life back into our communities. This fourth consecutive Gold Shovel is proof that our plan, the Kansas Framework for Growth, is working. Kansas has jumped from the middle of the pack to the top of the heap, establishing a new normal as a nationally recognized economic powerhouse. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure an even brighter future.”
KDOL’s full report is available at https://klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/GSIPub/documentview.aspx?enc=C92vxyDn7y3qW9PmZEEeqA==
