The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index for January moved above growth-neutral for a second straight month.
This is the third time in the past four months the overall reading has climbed above growth-neutral 50.0. The Business Conditions Index, which ranges between 0 and 100 rose to a solid 57.2 for the nine state region, its highest level since March 2019 and up from December’s 50.6. The Kansas Business Conditions Index for January increased to 58.4 from December’s 52.1. Creighton University Economist, Ernie Goss, says over the past 12 months the average hourly wages for private workers in Kansas expanded by 4.3 percent, which was fourth in the nine state region. Both durable and non durable goods manufacturers are expanding at a slow but positive pace. Even aircraft component manufacturers continue to expand despite Boeing’s problems.
