The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index climbed in March from February’s healthy reading and remained above Growth Neutral for the 16th straight month. The Region’s Overall Reading for March jumped to 65.4, from February’s 61.5. Anything above 50 represents growth.
Creighton Economist Ernie Goss, says a 25% gain in Farm Commodity Prices over the past 12 months, near record low short-term interest rates and growing agricultural exports have primed the Rural Mainstreet Economy. The Region’s Farmland Price Index decreased to a still strong 78.0 from February’s 78.8. March’s reading represented the 18th straight month the Index has moved above Growth Neutral.
The Kansas RMI for March slumped to a Regional-low 47.5, from 59.2 in February. The State’s Farmland-Price Index advanced to 73.6 from February’s 61.6. Over the last 12 months, Kansas’ Rural Mainstreet has experienced a weak 1/10th of one percent gain in nonfarm employment compared to a solid 1.9% gain for urban areas of the State.
