These companies are using genetic research and other new sciences to improve food production and related products. Kansas ranked ninth in the nation for manufacturing job growth between 1993 and 1998, according to a study by American City Business Journals. That growth was coupled with substantial increases in manufacturing wages. Manufacturing jobs are spreading throughout the region, often in smaller towns. Many companies consider communities that are in the 10,000 to 50,000 population range, says Fiscus.
Companies have to provide an attractive 'home' environment to keep employees.
They need to provide good housing, education and cultural opportunities, and they are finding that these things are not necessarily found only in the large metropolitan areas. One thing all the states in the region seem to have in common is a tight labor market. Printing, the second largest industry in Minnesota, is being hit particularly hard. The industry currently employs about 57,000 workers. However, there are estimates that Minnesota will have a shortage of 100,000 workers by the year 2002.