Wichita’s economy shrank in 2017. It was the only major metro area in Kansas that didn’t grow last year, according to new federal data.
And despite positive growth in some cities, the Kansas economy shrank overall.
Wichita and the state can’t find enough workers, in turn limiting the ability of companies to grow and boost the economy. Across the state, job vacancies increased by 9.1 percent last year.
Local leaders emphasize the need to attract workers to the region. Data released by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, or BEA, this week shows that the Wichita area gross domestic product — a fundamental measure of the economic strength — declined 1.4 percent in 2017.
Out of 383 metro areas, Wichita ranked 357th in growth. The city was among 71 metro areas that had flat or negative growth in 2017.
Kansas is one of just three states that experienced shrinking economics last year. Its overall, gross domestic product declined 0.1 percent.
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