Creighton University

For only the second time in 2025, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above a growth-neutral.

For the eighth time this year, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index sank below a growth-neutral score of 50.0.

The May Rural Mainstreet Index fell below the growth-neutral (a reading of 50.0) for the 19th time in the past 20 months.  The ten-state region covered by the Index came in at 44 during May, up from 40 in April.   “According to the bank CEOs in our survey, the economic outlook for 2025 farm income remains weak,” said Ernie Goss of Creighton University. “Almost one in four bankers ra...

After advancing above growth neutral in November for the first time since 2023, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index sank below the 50.0 reading in December.  That’s according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a ten-state region dependent on agriculture or energy.  The index fell fro...

Is U.S. agriculture in a recession?  At least one economist thinks so.   Dr. Ernie Goss, a Creighton University professor, said your perspective depends on what sector of agriculture and the overall economy you’re discussing.   “We are in ...

For the 13th consecutive month, the Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral.  That’s according to a September survey of rural bank CEO’s.  The reading sank from 40.9 in August to 37.5 in September.  That is the lowest level for the Rural Mainstreet Index since the COVID Pandemic began in spring 2020.  The index ranges from 0 to 100, wi...

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above growth neutral for the fifth time in the past six months. The monthly survey of bank CEOs in a ten-state region dependent on agriculture and energy shows the index increased to its highest level since the survey launched in 2006 ...

Last month’s Creighton Rural Mainstreet Index posted its highest reading in six months. While the index level climbed above growth neutral at 53.2 in October, it also shows that a recession continues in Rural America. Creighton University’s Dr. Ernie Goss ...

The Rural Mainstreet Index has been steadily climbing over the last four months, signaling improving conditions in farm country.  However, the man behind the RMI, Ernie Goss from Creighton University, said he has his eyes on two issues; trade and interest rates.  A Farm ...

After rising to growth neutral for two straight months, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index fell below the 50.0 threshold for July.  The index, which ranges between 0 and 100, tumbled to 40.7, its lowest level since November, and down from 50.0 in...