SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Another positive bump last month in Creighton University's Mid-America Conditions Index for a nine-state region that includes South Dakota.
Director of Creighton's Economic Forecasting Group, Ernie Goss says the overall index expands from 60.1 in March to 61.4 in April which he says points to solid growth with job additions, as long as employers can find the workers.
Goss says the April employment index was above growth neutral climbing to 62.9. But he says that number could be better. He says the region has added jobs, over the last 12 months, at 9/10's of one percent. However he says the national rate is 1 1/2 and that this part of the country is being weighed down by agriculture and "it's showing up."
Goss says supply managers were asked to identify the greates economic challenge facing their company. Almost 40% say that firing and hiring qualified workers was the greatest economic obstacle to business expansion.
Goss says the nine-state region, stretching from North Dakota to Arkansas, has jobs but managers say they need good, skilled workers and that is a challenge.
Economic optimism, what the future may hold six months from now, declined slighty to a still strong 69.5, down from 70.2 in March.
(Thanks Jerry Oster, WNAX Yankton)