Kansas behind in private-sector job growth in region

? A report shows that private-sector job growth in Kansas has lagged behind other states in the region.

Data from the Congressional Joint Economic Committee shows Kansas came in fourth in its five-state region when measuring private-sector job growth since the 2007 start of recession.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that when compared to the beginning of the recession in December 2007, Kansas private-sector jobs had grown 1.6 percent. Ahead of only Missouri, which as of April, still had 1.8 percent fewer private-sector jobs than before the recession.

The other three states posted more significant growth than Kansas. Colorado, posted 6.3 percent; Oklahoma, 3.4 percent; and Nebraska, 3.2 percent.

The position of Kansas improved in recent years, however, and it was third out of five since April 2014 and February 2010.