OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) – The June Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota and the Dakotas to Arkansas, advanced above growth neutral.

Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group, directs the monthly survey.

Goss says hiring trends are still lagging in the region.

Goss says they asked business managers about other impacts from the pandemic.

Looking ahead six months, Goss says economic optimism, as captured by the June Business Confidence Index, climbed to a strong 65.3 from 56.6 in May.