Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index

Rural bankers are bracing for tough times ahead as agricultural costs keep climbing faster than income.

Rural communities are catching a break after months of struggle, but farmers still face real pressure from rising costs and weak prices.

Rural communities are feeling the pinch as economic indicators continue to slide. Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening out there.

This month's Rural Mainstreet Index tells a story of tough times for farmers, but there's a glimmer of hope in the land value numbers.

It's a tough time for grain farmers as the Rural Mainstreet Index takes a hit, reflecting deeper issues in agriculture.

The August Rural Mainstreet Index covering a multi-state region shows one-fifth of grain farmers will experience a negative cash flow in 2025.

After three straight months of readings slightly above growth neutral, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index fell below the growth neutral threshold.  The March index slumped from 50.1 in February to a reading of 45.6 in March.  Despite...

Creighton University’s most recent monthly Rural Mainstreet Index Survey, was primarily sideways, that according to survey organizer Ernie Goss.  He noted the Federal Reserve raising interest rates has cooled economic activity, but not as much as the Fed Reserve would like.  Goss anticipa...

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index fell below growth-neutral for the sixth-consecutive month.  On a scale of one to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral, the Economic Confidence Index plummeted to its lowest level since 2020.  Almost ...

The Creighton University October Rural Mainstreet Index dropped for the sixth time in the last seven months.  It’s the fifth-consecutive month that the index has been below growth neutral.  Creighton University’s Dr. Ernie Goss said the index...