The Midwest Challenge: Matching Jobs with Education in the Post-Recession Economy

The Midwestern economy continues to undergo industrial transformation that began in the late 1970s. The most recent downturn in manufacturing and agriculture was especially devastating, as both these industries are mainstays of the region. We find, however, that while agriculture and manufacturing employment continue to decline in the aggregate and as a share of all jobs, output in these industries will grow, mostly from increases in productivity.