The Rural Mainstreet Economic Index remains healthy. Creighton University Economist, Ernie Goss, says the over-all Index moved above growth neutral for the 17th straight month and farmland prices continued to grow at the fastest pace since 2006. He says the Region recorded a 34% gain in farm commodity prices over the past 12 months, but low short-term interest rates and healthy farm income have bolstered the Rural Mainstreet Economy. The index for April declined from 62.0 to March’s 65.4, but anything above 50 is considered growth. Goss says that over 60% of bankers think President Biden’s Emergency Waiver on the Summer production of E-15 ethanol will have a positive impact.
The Kansas RMI for April increased to a Regional low 49.0 from 47.5, also a Regional low. The State’s Farmland-Price Index advanced to 77.0 from March’s 73.6. U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate that over the last 12 months, Kansas Rural Mainstreet has experienced a weak 0.2% gain in non-farm employment (non seasonally adjusted) compared to a solid 2.3% gain for urban areas of the state.
