New job numbers may shake presidential campaign but the real effect will be felt by unemployed

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Some family-owned businesses in Kansas City’s metro area are thriving and adding jobs. These businesses are part of the driving force behind a lower unemployment rate number in September.

One month before the elections, the unemployment rate dropped lower than it has been in nearly four years. 

The newest Labor Department report adds optimism to those desperate for a job, showing an unemployment rate at 7.8 percent. The report also indicated 111,000 jobs were generated by the U.S. economy last month.

You won’t have to look too far for some of those jobs. Opportunities for work are available right here in the Heartland.

Two months ago, the Farm to Market Bread Company was busting at the seams.

“This summer, we were elbow to elbow. I'm not sure we would be able to make it through this next holiday season," Vice President John Friend explained.

After 17 years in Waldo, the family-owned bakery moved to the Crossroads District near downtown Kansas City. The new location offered more space and better exposure.

How did Farm to Market Bread Company keep its head afloat over the last seven years?

"Thanks to Kansas City supporting local businesses, we've been able to grow," Friend said.

In fact, Friend said his business has grown every year since the economic crash in 2007.

Most recently, it grew by five employees.

"Hopefully we'll be able to add more down the road as our name gets out there more," he said.

See the inside of Farm to Market Bread Company Friday night until 9 p.m. during First Fridays in the Crossroads District.

Seasonal Jobs

Holiday hiring at the Kansas Sampler will open up 200 part-time jobs to Kansas City-area workers.

“We'll need people for pricing, for internet fulfillment, and then seasonal Santas for all of our stores," said Kansas Sampler founder Peg Liebert.

Liebert is holding a job fair Tuesday morning at the location in Lenexa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. She said they consistently have a hard time finding daytime workers.

Even she is surprised about how beneficial part-time seasonal work can be for an average household budget. 

“If someone works an extra 10 hours a week for $10, that can be $5,000 a year," she added up.

Her company has opened five new stores in the last month. In fact, a new store opened up Friday in Dallas-Ft. Worth. 

“We have believed in growing our business and putting the money in our company and continuing to grow it," said Liebert as she explained the success of Kansas Sampler over the past few years.

Liebert admitted, Kansas Sampler success has a lot to do with the luck of the University of Kansas.

“Our growth started when Kansas won the National Championship,” she laughed, “So, you get lucky, too."

After KU won the championship, Kansas Sampler sales spiked to holiday levels.