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Region’s Manufacturing Sector Losses 4,500 Jobs in 2024

The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index in December shows labor shortages are still a large concern for firms despite lower employment. Photo credit: Shutterstock (Jenson).

Posted January 2, 2025

The December Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index ends the year on a down note with approximately one in five firms reporting labor shortages in the region.

The Business Conditions Index, which ranges between 0 and 100, slumped to 48.7 from 49.6 in November. The December employment index improved slightly to a weak 46.4 from November’s 44.4. Despite falling manufacturing employment, approximately one in five firms reported labor shortages.

“Manufacturers in the nation and region continue to shed jobs. Ernie Goss, Ph.D. at Creighton University said. “In terms of impending economic threats, such as an East/Gulf Coast longshoreman strike looming on January 15, approximately 45% of supply managers expect a recession in the first half of 2025.”

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported regional manufacturing employment fell by 4,500 jobs, or -0.4%, in 2024. Additionally, U.S. manufacturing employment sank by 73,000, or -0.6%, jobs during the same period.

The December Business Confidence Index sank to 52.8 from 55.6 in November.

“Approximately 45% of supply managers expect worsening business conditions over the next six months,” Goss said.

State Reports

Kansas: The Kansas Business Conditions Index for December dropped to 46.3 from 49.8 in November. Components of the leading economic indicators from the monthly survey of supply managers for December were: new orders at 45.8; production or sales at 46.9; delivery lead time at 52.9; employment at 41.4; and inventories at 44.6. According to the latest U.S. International Trade Administration data, Kansas expanded 2024 year-to-date manufacturing exports by $288.5 million from the same period in 2023 for a 2.8% gain

Missouri: The state’s December Business Conditions Index dropped to 47.1 in December from 47.4 in November. Components of the overall index from the survey of supply managers for December were: new orders at 45.9; production or sales at 47.3; delivery lead time at 53.4; inventories at 45.9; and employment at 42.9. According to the latest U.S. International Trade Administration data, Missouri expanded 2024 year-to-date manufacturing exports by $1.3 billion from the same period in 2023 for a 10.0% gain.