SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The monthly survey of business supply managers suggests improving economic conditions in the nine Midwest and Plains States, including South Dakota.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the overall index jumped over six-and-a-half points from November.
Goss says the index moved to it's highest level since February of 2015 expanding to 53.1 and he adds that any number above 50 is growth positive.
Goss says after six straight months of below growth reading, the regional employment measures for December also rose.
He says the jobs' number was up to 50.9. That's not as strong a number as he'd like to see, but it's up from November's 41.9 and add it is a strong showing.
Goss says companies in the nine-state region plan on adding about 80,000 jobs.
He says that's a pretty good number but what's really going to be the issue for companies is finding and hiring qualified workers.
Another sign of confidence: supply managers added to inventories for December. The December inventory index, the change in the level of raw materials and supplies, advanced to 52.8 from November's 42.8