Even with declines in the unemployment rate, job growth in Kansas this year has been slow.

Hays is among five regional economic outlook conferences presented this month by economic researchers at Wichita State University.

Jeremy Hill is director of the WSU Center for Economic Development and Business Research.  He says retail sales are also up, but it’s not necessarily good news.

“The problem is it’s for necessities, food and fuel with increased prices for both, ” Hill  points out.

In 2013, Kansas employment is projected to increase 1.8%, adding about 24,175 thousand jobs.