10: 40 a.m. (AP) — A Wichita State University research center says the Kansas economy is growing at a slower rate than the nation’s economy overall.

The Center for Economic Development and Business Research forecast in a report released Thursday that next year’s nonfarm employment growth will be 1.4 percent, a gain of 19,000 jobs.

It says the number of jobs in Kansas has grown 1 percent so far this year and has not kept up with the growth in the state’s labor force. The Kansas unemployment rate rose to 5.9 percent in August.

The largest growth forecast for 2014 is expected to be in the service sectors. Education and health services are expected to add 4,254 jobs.

No Kansas industry is expected to reduce employment, but government jobs will lag behind overall job growth.

 

 

5: 15 a.m.(AP) — The Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University is preparing to release its 2014 employment forecasts for Kansas.

The group says the statewide projections will be made public on Thursday.

Wichita’s employment forecast for next year will be released Oct. 3 at the annual Wichita Economic Outlook Conference.