Wichita economic and real estate update:

Kansas is in the lead to get the new U.S. Bio-defense lab.  It would be located in Junction City, KS-about 2 ½ hours NE of Wichita.

The $563 Million federal bio-defense lab is also wanted by Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and other states. 

Should Kansas be chosen the construction of the lab would bring 1,600 temporary jobs with a payroll of $183 million to the state.

Wichita home prices continue to hold their own in a report just released by the U.S. Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.  Wichita's prices grew by .8% from the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2008.  Third quarter prices were 2.2 percent lower in the third quarter than in the second quarter of 2008 but show a gain for the year.  There is 15% fewer listing on the market than a year ago with average days on the market at slightly more than 2 months.

Kansas banks, Credit Unions and Savings and Loans are all showing strong 3^rd quarter results. All credit union's net worth climbed 5.7% compared to the 3^rd quarter of 2007.  Three Wichita area banks/savings and loans have declined funds from the federal bailout