The latest issue of the Miami County Economic Climate has been released by Director of Economic Development, Janet McCrea. The need for more housing is apparent, not only in Miami County, but across the region. In Miami County, current housing options are at a 93.7% occupancy rate. The highest occupancy rate being in Spring Hill where 97% percent of homes and apartments are occupied. Paola at 93%, Louisburg is 92%, and Osawatomie is 90.6%. With the overall population growing, the need for additional housing is growing along with it. On a good note, the available housing inventory in the county has grown by 25% in the last two months; however, is still in the critical range. McCrea reports that 59 new housing permits have been filed in the first half of 2023.
Along with that growth, the labor force has also steadily increased in the first half of 2023, as it has since the end of the pandemic two years ago. However, with an unemployment rate of only 2.8%, businesses are still having a hard time hiring enough employees.
