The scripts are available for printing and for sound bite identification.

Background:

The Kansas economy is improving, albeit slowly. Jeremy Hill, director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University, has announced a revised economic forecast for 2012. 

Voice wrap:

Announcer: After showing almost no growth in 2011, the Kansas economy should improve in 2012. But some recent events have combined to reduce some of the expected growth, according to Jeremy Hill, director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University.

Hill: “Unfortunately our forecasted growth for Kansas has been revised down slightly from 1.1 percent to 1 percent for 2012. This is due to the weakness within the Euro zone, remaining uncertainty of the U.S. economy and expectations of the Boeing departure.”

Announcer: Nevertheless, Hill says that the Kansas economy overall has some definite strengths and will likely create about 13,000 jobs in 2012. This is Joe Kleinsasser at Wichita State University. This is Joe Kleinsasser at Wichita State University. 

Sound bite #1

Hill says the U.S. economy is showing signs of improving. The sound bite is 10 seconds and the outcue is “were widespread.”

Hill: “The U.S. economy is seeing signs of improving economic conditions. The private sector jobs have led the recent employment growth, and in December the U.S. jobs claims were widespread.”

Sound bite #2

Hill says U.S. consumers are more upbeat about their future. The sound bite is 15 seconds and the outcue is “much better.”

Hill: “U.S. consumers are more upbeat about their future. In the last couple of months, they’ve felt that their future earnings and the economy would be better in the coming months. However, in this recent report of the U.S. consumers, they now believe that the economy today is much better.” 

Sound bite #3

Hill says farmers have been the stabilizing force in a flat Kansas economy. The sound bite is 11 seconds and the outcue is “for our economy.”

Hill: “The Kansas economy has been flat in 2011, showing almost no growth from 2010 to 2011. However, farmers and farm income have been the stabilizing force for our economy.” 

Sound bite #4

Hill says manufacturing is helping to lead the state economy out of the recession. The sound bite is 11 seconds and the outcue is “out of our recession.”

Hill: “Although manufacturing struggled the first part of 2011, recent growth in employment is expected to carry through into 2012, leading the state economy out of our recession.” 

Sound bite #5

Hill expects the strongest employment growth to come from the durable sector. The sound bite is 10 seconds and the outcue is “in 2012.”

Hill: “We expect the strongest increase in employment growth to come from the durable sector, which includes farm equipment and aviation manufacturing, at about 2.8 percent in 2012.”

Sounds bite #6

Hill says the overall Kansas economy will create about 13,000 jobs this year. The sound bite is 7 seconds and the outcue is “2012.”

Hill: “Overall, the Kansas economy has some definite strengths and will likely create about 13,000 jobs in 2012.”