Creighton University's latest Rural Mainstreet Index climbed to its highest reading since the summer of 2023. The index tracks rural economic growth and is based on a survey of bank CEOs across a 10-state region.
The index climbed to 52, the highest reading since July 2023. The index ranges between zero and 100, with 50 representing growth-neutral. It looks at several factors, including farmland prices, equipment sales, banking and hiring.
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But Creighton Economist Ernie Goss said in a press release that 34.7% of bankers surveyed indicated their local economy was currently in a recession, while another 26.9% expected local recession conditions in the first half of the year.
The survey also found that 38.4% of surveyed bankers support pulling back on tariffs.
