By Alison Felix and Adam Pope
The Kansas and Missouri economies continued to improve during the winter months. Missouri employment growth was slightly negative, but employment growth in Kansas was positive throughout the fourth quarter of 2011. In both Kansas and Missouri, the unemployment rate fell, and there are indications that labor market conditions will improve in each state during the first quarter of 2012. Agricultural conditions were positive in the fourth quarter, and farmland values increased in both Kansas and Missouri.

By Alison Felix and Adam Pope
The Kansas and Missouri economies showed further signs of stabilization heading into 2011, and some firms were seeking to expand. However, unemployment remains elevated,and real estate and construction activity is still sluggish.

By Alison Felix and Adam Pope
The Kansas and Missouri economies continued to improve during the beginning of 2011. Compared to a year ago, employment began to grow in Missouri, but it was flat in Kansas. Unemployment remains high, but has fallen in recent months. Residential and commercial real estate continues to underperform in both Kansas and Missouri. Agriculture remains a bright spot, and there are signs of further strength in the second quarter.

By Alison Felix and Adam Pope
The Kansas and Missouri economies improved somewhat during the summer, but the pace of activity was fairly slow. Employment in Missouri remains above year-ago levels. In Kansas, employment growth over the past year was zero after being in negative territory for the last year. Unemployment rates remain elevated, but have continued to fall slightly over the last quarter in both Missouri and Kansas.

By Alison Felix and Adam Pope
The Missouri and Kansas economies improved slightly during the fall of 2011. Employment in Kansas showed signs of consistent growth after weakening earlier in the year, while Missouri employment growth was flat. The Kansas unemployment rate edged up slightly, and the Missouri unemployment rate continued to fall. Commercial and residential real estate continued to be weak in both Missouri and Kansas. Farmland values increased in Kansas and Missouri, but overall agricultural conditions were mixed.