An updated forecast predicts that the economy in Kansas is heading up in 2012, but not as quickly as what had first been expected.

According to the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University, the forecast for employment for the Wichita metropolitan area, as well as the state as a whole, will be lower than the previous outlook. The center says that slower national growth in general and lack of confidence in the local and global economy downgraded the forecast.

“This is due to the weakness within the euro zone, remaining uncertainty of the U.S. economy and expectations of the Boeing departure,” said Jeremy Hill, the center’s director.

The revised expectation is that the Kansas economy will grow slowly. The unemployment rate should improve by 1%, translating into 13.010 new jobs, down from the 1.1% original prediction which was made in October last year.

“The Kansas economy has been flat in 2011, showing almost no growth from 2010 to 2011,” Hill said. “However, farmers and farm income have been the stabilizing force in our economy.”

Although Kansas is indeed expected to have an upturn in its economy and unemployment figures, the growth is slower than originally forecast due in large measure to the news that Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, will be closing its facility in the area.