For a third straight month, the Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from North Dakota to Arkansas, showed positive gains.

The Business Conditions Index, which ranges between 0 and 100, rose to a solid 57.7 from December’s 53.2.

Dr Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group said the economy seems to be slowly expanding…

 

After declining below growth neutral for December, the employment gauge rose to a solid 56.4 from 48.7 in December.

Goss said most states have recovered to pre-recession employment levels…

 

Looking six months ahead, economic optimism, as captured by the January business confidence index, declined to a very strong 62.2 from December’s 66.5. Goss said political progress is propelling most of that number…