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 remained above growth neutral for 15 of the last 16 months.

Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group, says economic growth is slowing a bit.

Goss says job growth also slowed down.

The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate that current regional nonfarm employment is down by 431,000 jobs.

Goss says inflation is still an issue for regional businesses.

Looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the August Business Confidence Index, dipped to 53.5 from July’s 53.6.  This is the third straight month that the index has declined.