Manufacturing activity in the Kansas City region grew a bit in September, but producers’ expectations for the future stayed at the lowest level in more than a year, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City



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In this month’s survey, 32 percent of manufacturers surveyed said production rose, 26 percent said it fell, and the rest saw no change. The seasonally adjusted index — which can range from 100 to minus-100, with a positive number indicating growth — came in at 3. That’s up from minus-2 in August but down from 14 a year ago.

The month-to-month increase in production mainly was concentrated in durable goods plants, particularly for aircraft and computer equipment. Non-durable goods producers reported a slowdown.

Expectations for future production stayed at 12, tied with August and down from 24 a year ago.

Shipment volumes shifted back into growth mode, though slower than a year ago.

Average employee workweeks grew, compared with shrinking last month and slower growth a year ago. But expectations for six months from now indicate that average workweeks will shrink.

The 10th Federal Reserve District includes Kansas, Western Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and northern New Mexico.