OMAHA, N.E.(WNAX)- Since declining to a record low in April of last year, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota and the Dakotas to Arkansas, has now been above growth neutral for 13 of the last 14 months.

Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group says solid improvement continues.

Goss says jobs are available for anyone that wants one.

Goss says the expectation is that prices will continue to rise.

Goss says looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the June Business Confidence Index, fell to a healthy 60.8 from May’s strong 88.6.