ernie goss

The economic outlook for rural communities dims as May's index signals contraction, with farmers facing high input costs and low commodity prices impacting their financial health.

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

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

A new report shows some positive economic news for the first time in months, but not everyone in farm country is feeling the same optimism.

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

For the sixth time this year, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral.

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...

For the 17th time in the last 18 months, the Rural Mainstreet Index dropped below 50 in February.  That’s from the monthly survey of bank CEOs across a ten-state region reliant on agriculture and energy.   The index plummeted from 42.3 in January to 38 i...

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 ...