Area, Regional Economy Improving

upward_trend_3Northwest Iowa — Our area, along with the rest of Iowa and the entire Midwest is showing signs of economic improvement, according to a monthly survey.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss compiles the Mid-American Business Conditions Index.

Supply managers in Iowa and eight other Midwest states are surveyed each month and the results are compiled into indexes ranging from zero to 100. Any score above 50 suggests economic growth. The overall index has now increased for two consecutive months.

A strong U.S. dollar and weakness among the nation’s chief trading partners remains a restraint on regional growth, according to Goss.

The survey found a lot of concern about a potential Federal Reserve rate hike later this month.

Goss is predicting there’s a 60-percent chance that the Federal Reserve will move to bump up interest rates in a couple weeks.

For a look at this month’s survey, click this link.

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