Air industry jobs lost (Wichita, Kansas City: employment, closing, price)

[upandrunning]

I see that a couple of aircraft companys have layed off 1000 workers. How is Wichita doing? I was trying to sell and move there, and my realtor said things are not moving unless they are priced under what value is. My borther also was saying that he sees many small businesses closing up. What have you seen?

[briansgi]

Look around, businesses are closing/laying people off all over the country in all industries, not just in the aircraft industry.

[KevK]

Wichita is cyclical. When it is up, it is way up and when it is down it is way down. But even when it is down, the unemployment rate rarely goes over 7%

[upandrunning]

Times are a bit different now. It is not a normal cycle. And if it is cyclical, it has not been seen since the 30s.

[athfo]

I still believe the Wichita economy is stronger or above average than other cities around the nation.

[GraniteStater]

Omaha is doing better economically than Wichita right now.

[athfo]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Omaha is doing better economically than Wichita right now.

It wasn't an ultimatum. I think most midwest cities are doing better economically than east and west coast cities in general.

[Vision-Quest]

Originally Posted by athfo

It wasn't an ultimatum. I think most midwest cities are doing better economically than east and west coast cities in general.

What do you define as midwest? Because not all midwest cities have a great economy. Look at St. Louis, Detroit, Quad Cities, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Akron, Gary, Flint, Kansas City (Kansas), Rockford etc.

Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, Northern Ohio and Southern Illinois are all regions hit hard economicaly.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Vision-Quest

What do you define as midwest? Because not all midwest cities have a great economy. Look at St. Louis, Detroit, Quad Cities, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Akron, Gary, Flint, Kansas City (Kansas), Rockford etc.

Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, Northern Ohio and Southern Illinois are all regions hit hard economicaly.

You are correct. The industrial Midwest has hit very hard economic times again. This includes all of the Great Lakes states of: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. These four states have all lost non-farm employment since the year 2000.
The Plains states are generally doing better economically and have lower unemployment rates. This was partly due to the agricultural and energy boom times in the past few years up until very recently. Another reason why unemployment in the Plains states is often low is because the out-migration of younger educated individuals to larger metro areas is often quite high. Many rural communities face out-migration pressures that are so intense that labor shortages develop. A case in point is rural areas of Nebraska, especially towns very far removed from an Interstate Highway.
The Plains states that have gained non-farm employment since 2000 include: North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Kansas has lost non-farm employment since the year 2000.

The other states that round off the list within the Midwest realm are: Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri.
These states have all seen rather stagnant growth with the Minneapolis metro doing the best in terms of attracting in-migration and generating new jobs.

[athfo]

Originally Posted by Vision-Quest

What do you define as midwest? Because not all midwest cities have a great economy. Look at St. Louis, Detroit, Quad Cities, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Akron, Gary, Flint, Kansas City (Kansas), Rockford etc.

Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, Northern Ohio and Southern Illinois are all regions hit hard economicaly.

I apologize. I'll clarify that I did mean the Plains states. To me, the Midwest is the Plains states, but I obviously realize that it covers a much larger area than that.