WSP08554 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

1-32 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I differences between Ogallala and non-Ogallala employment growth still exist in Colorado and New Mexico. In terms of the relative importance to states of regional employment, Texas and Nebraska have consistently provided the bulk of the jobs in the Region since 1960. Kansas has shown the fastest regional employment growth during the period, while Oklahoma ranked second. The data indicates a clear pattern of regional employment catching up with employment growth in non-Ogallala areas of the state. Another significant trend is that six-state employment grew at a faster rate than national employment. Colorado, New Mexico and Texas were primarily responsible for these gains. Existing Conditions Total employment in the Ogallala region was approximately one million jobs in 1977. Table 1-3 shows the relative contribution of each state, which correlates strongly with the size of the High Plains area of the state included in the region. As expected, Texas and Nebraska provided the majority of the regional employment, about 46% and 30%, respectively. Kansas was responsible for less than 10% and the remaining 14% was spl it relatively evenly between the other three states. Major categories of employment in each of the High Plains states is discussed below. Kansas Employment and total earnings in the agricultural sector in Kansas have consistently remained at about one-tenth the levels for non-farm jobs from 1969-1978. Employment in Kansas is reported to be approximately one million jobs. Major employment sectors incl ude manufacturi ng, servi ces, government and retail trade. In 1978, these four sectors accounted for 63% of the ear- nings and over 70% of the jobs. Agricultural and livestock operations are more significant in the Ogallala Region of the state. Prominent nonagricultural employers are industries related to farm suppl ies, manufacturing and printing. Personal income statistics from counties in the High Plains area indicate substantial rel i ance on farmi ng ope rat ions. For exampl e, in Gray, Stanton, Thomas and Haskell Counties, farm-related income represents 50% or more of the county's personal income. .