NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Creighton University economist Ernie Goss notes that the pursuit of talent and the height of inflation in 2022 has made changing jobs attractive this year.
"Unemployment rates have been at very low levels," Goss said. "We see continuing labor shortages in Kansas and in the rest of the region that we survey and for that matter, in the U.S., so if you want a job, it's a good time to be looking for a job."
Speaking generally, a new place has more flexibility in its hiring budget than the place people currently work does to retain workers.
"Wages are up, that's inflation adjusted wages, but that's for those workers that changed jobs," Goss said. "Those who are staying in their jobs, not so much. Your inflation adjusted wages are coming down, so that's the negative part."
The fundamentals, if you're willing to change industries, look okay for Kansas right now.
"Kansas has had some real good news in terms of the big industry, like aerospace," Goss said. "Agricultural prices are pretty strong. The farm sector is doing well. The businesses along what we call rural main street, not as well, those small businesses in leisure and hospitality, restaurants and bars and hotels and motels."
Looking forward to 2023, energy prices and borrowing costs look to be a further constraint on the rural economy, but if you can find people and capital, there will be room for growth.
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