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employed plus unemployed workers. Thus, despite little job growth, Arkansas's unemployment rate has continued to move lower," Goss said. Since the national economic recovery began in July 2009, Arkansas has lost almost 3,000 manufacturing jobs. "Our surveys over the past several months indicate that those losses are likely to continue, but at a slow pace," he said.
• Iowa: For the first time since June, Iowa's overall index rose. It hit 53.8 in December, compared with 52.6 in November. Components of the index for December were new orders at 54.9, production or sales at 47.6, delivery lead time at 59.2, employment at 47.5 and inventories at 50.7. "Over the last year, the Iowa labor force shrank by almost 22,000 workers. Thus, as a result of job growth and a reduction in the size of the labor force, Iowa's unemployment rate has continued to move lower," Goss said. Since the national economic recovery began in July 2009, Iowa has added more than 20,000 manufacturing jobs. "Our surveys over the past several months point to very moderate overall job gains with slight manufacturing job losses for the first half of 2013," he said.
• Kansas: The state's overall index dipped below growth neutral for December, dropping to 46.6 from 51.3 in November and 47.9 in October. Components of the index were new orders at 48.9, production or sales at 44.6, delivery lead time at 51.9, employment at 41.0 and inventories at 46.8. Over the last year, Goss said, the Kansas labor force shrank by almost 23,000 workers. Thus, despite little job growth, Kansas's unemployment rate has continued to move lower. Since the national economic recovery began in July 2009, Kansas has added more than 5,000 manufacturing jobs. "Our surveys over the past several months point to a reversal of those gains for the first half of 2013, with slight manufacturing job losses," Goss said.
• Minnesota: After sitting below growth neutral for five straight months, the overall Minnesota index rebounded to 57.2 in December from 48.4 in November. Components of the index from the survey were new orders at 50.3, production or sales at 52.1, delivery lead time at 75.0, inventories at 55.3, and employment at 53.5. The Minnesota labor force has shrunk by almost 7,000 workers over the past year. The smaller labor force combined with recent job growth has pushed Minnesota's unemployment rate well below the national jobless rate. "Our surveys over the past several months point to positive job and economic growth for the first half of 2013," said Goss.
• Missouri: The December overall index dipped to 46.8 from November's 47.2. Components of the index were new orders at 41.3, production or sales at 44.8, delivery lead time at 53.5, inventories at 43.6 and employment at 50.7. Over the past year, the Missouri labor force has shrunk by about 41,000 workers. "Thus, despite

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