After declining below Growth Neutral for March, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index expanded above the threshold for the month, the Region’s overall reading in April climbed to 50.1 from March’s 45.6. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing Growth Neutral. Creighton Economist Ernie Goss says the Rural Mainstreet Economy continues to experience slow, to no, to negative economic growth. Only 8% of bankers reported improving economic conditions for the month with 84% indicating no change in economic conditions from March’s negative growth. The Kansas RMI for April climbed to 52.1 from March’s 43.6. The state’s farmland-price index increased to 63.3 from 61.4 in March. The April New Hiring Index for Kansas rose to 52.1 from 44.3 in March.
