Edited release
10/02/25
For the second time in the past three months, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region including Iowa, stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, sank below growth neutral.
The Index fell from 50.5 to 49.8. 50 is considered growth-neutral.
Ernie Goss, PhD, Director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group, said the survey indicates the regional manufacturing economy continues to move sideways to down with elevated wholesale inflation.
Iowa’s Business Conditions Index improved but stayed below growth neutral for September, moving form 45.8 in August to 47.4 in September, still below the Index average.
Kansas, North Dakota and Oklahoma stayed above growth neutral; the other states in the survey include Arkansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Full details are available at Creighton.edu.