A leading Midwest economic indicator showed economic improvement for manufacturing in Nebraska and eight surrounding states last month. Ernie Goss, the creator of Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Index, said the jump to 57.4 from June’s 50.3 indicates good progress but shows there is still work to be done. He said job losses have continued, but overall confidence and orders have increased.
“Individuals and families are getting back to buying and spending, not to the levels we saw pre-COVID-19, but we are moving in that direction,” Goss said.
Goss said he expects August’s index to show an increase as well. He said Nebraska has been showing more growth than most other states in the region, because its rural setting caused less of a COVID-19 risk in the first place.