Update on the Kansas and Missouri economies: Spotlight on Manhattan, Kansas

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.