OMAHA, NEB. -- The latest survey of the economy in nine Midwest and Plains states indicates slow to no growth, but not a return to recession.
The survey report released Thursday says the Business Conditions Index dropped to 52 in August from 54.1 in July.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the report. He says while healthy economic growth is tied to agriculture, the region is being harmed by cuts in business, consumer and local governmental spending.
The survey of supply managers and executives uses a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Any score above 50 suggests growth while a score below 50 suggests decline for that factor. The states are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.