Rural Mainstreet Index Falls Below Growth Neutral

For the sixth time this year, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral.  That’s according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a ten-state region dependent on agriculture or energy.

The overall reading for August dropped to 48.1 after rising above growth-neutral to 50.6 in July and 51.9 in June.  The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing neutral growth.

“Weak agriculture commodity prices for grain producers continue to dampen economic activity in the ten-state region,” said Dr. Ernie Goss of Creighton University. “Bank CEOs and chief loan officers expect almost one-fifth, or 19.5 percent, of grain farmers to experience negative cash flow for 2025.” 

Click Here to check out that Index.

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