Mainstreet Index Remains Weak

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index remained weak at the start of 2017.

The index, which ranges between 0 and 100, dipped to 42.8 from 42.9 in December.

Over the past 12 months, livestock commodity prices have tumbled by 7.3 percent and grain commodity prices have slumped by 11.7 percent.

The economic fallout continues to push growth into negative territory for five of the 10 states in the region, said Ernie Goss, professor of regional economics at Creighton.

States that expanded in the January index were Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota. States where the index contracted were Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Community bank executives in rural communities dependent upon ag and energy participate in this monthly survey.