OMAHA, N.E.(KELO)- Our regional economy just scored its best performance in more than a year.

Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index includes a survey of rural community bankers across a ten state region.

Economist Ernie Goss says the farm economy may be in the early stages of turning a corner.

South Dakota’s reading was an improvement from October, but still slightly negative.

Farmland prices and exports from the state were higher, but the hiring index declined a few points.

Signs of optimism on the regional economy.

Goss says farmland prices were negative last month…a trend the bankers expect to continue in the near future.

Grain prices remain low, but yields across the region were good this fall, helping farmers avoid heavy losses.