Business & Tech

Gasoline prices may have leveled off in Kansas City, following a dramatic one-week leap in the cost of fuel.  

The recession and recovery have been hard on many.  But, among those most effected are those between 20-24, with an unemployment rate of 13.1 percent-  almost twice the national average. 

With these challenges to financial independence many young adults are returning to their parents for financial and housing assistance. 

In  announcing it would add 2,000 jobs to its Claycomo Assembly Plant, Ford Motor cited increased  sales tied to new stability in the home building market.   At the truck factory, Ford executives drew parallels that are being seen industry-wide.

One of the most poorly kept secrets in the auto industry was completely revealed Thursday. Ford Motor Company will add some 2,000 jobs at its Kansas City Assembly Claycomo plant.

A new report projects an increase in the rate of job growth in Kansas this year. There are some economic forces that could temper that growth in the future.

The report from Wichita State University Center for Economic Development and Business Research projects modest job growth in Kansas this year. It’s driven partially by the energy, construction and services sectors.

Housing construction is showing a 30 percent gain in the first quarter in the Kansas City region, compared with the same period of 2012.The reference is to permits for residential building  and amounts to 832 single family houses. There were 640 in the first three months of last year.

The numbers bear watching, as the  executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City notes.  Sara Corless said, should the trend hold or increase, construction might be back at 2007 levels by end of the year.