Just as the entire state was saying goodbye to Wichita, economically speaking, they turn their economy around like a hammerhead stall. The BTK is stuck and gone and the Aircraft Industry has decided to stay. Last year, 40% of all aircraft in the world were made in Wichita, and instead of losing market share, they are gaining ground in the other aerospace manufacturing cities in the United States and around the world.

What other sectors are still doing well; Small businesses, entertainment, retail, new home construction, and some non-aviation manufacturing. Questions related to the Wichita area include a tax revolt over high taxes, especially in the wake of reductions and “concessions” needed to attract industry, specifically aerospace, to the city to create jobs.

Also a Howard Jarvis http://www.hjta.org/

kind of revolted against some of the highest property taxes in the nation in Wichita. Water issues are also a cause for concern as there is algae growing in the reservoir causing the water to taste strange, it actually smells stale and stale. Such an algae bloom (cyanobacteria)

http://www.bassresource.com/about/golden_algae_control.html

it can occur from agriculture, raw sewage, heat, and fertilizers. Another bank of this type of algae grows off the coast of Florida

http://www.floridaenvironment.com/programs/fe00612.htm

of the same problems but very different and it worries scientists and citizens, but in the water supply it scares people, although it probably won’t hurt them unless diseases, pathogens or other things harmful to humans start to feed on it . Schools are also a cause for concern due to declining funding due to tax base erosion from business closures and downsizing. Heck sounds like CA. Also rising health care costs are a concern, especially with people being laid off. Wichita has a federal business zone

http://ia.ita.doc.gov/ftzpage/fr/88/d29-88.html

so it’s good for companies selling worldwide to manufacture and bring in parts and ship complete projects without import duties and taxes. Wichita ranks 13th in the nation’s fpr manufacturing sector and number one on the planet for aviation manufacturing. So it’s interesting that it survived this recession of shrinking manufacturing jobs, as the focus is on promoting the retail and service sector, something that can be done with revitalization projects.