Even as monthly unemployment numbers spiked above 5 percent for Emporia and Lyon County near the start of the year, Regional Development Association of East Central Interim President Lyle Butler expressed confidence things would turn around.
As reported last week, the April jobless numbers bore out at least some of that confidence, dipping from 5 percent in March to just over 4 percent for Emporia. Numerous construction projects, including the end of Quik Trip, Phase 1 of the One9 travel plaza and PetSmart at Emporia Pavilions, as well as ongoing work for a new Burger King in east Emporia, are current highlights. Butler also says some local employers are adding workers this spring outside of construction work.
Butler says this is an improvement from a year ago, when the local jobless rate was just under 5 percent. It’s also showing improvement areawide.
Of concern to Butler: the number of people employed locally, which has slowly tracked lower the last 30 years.
Butler credits Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Department Secretary David Toland for his work in developing contacts that may partner well with Emporia, as well as workforce training and other education through Flint Hills Technical College and Emporia State University. He says there are two main things employers want at this time:
Butler says companies also look for evidence of partnerships at the local level.
Echoing comments from the last two months, Butler says Emporia could see positive economic news later this year after numerous job losses or business closures since December 2024.
