OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) The April, Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota and the Dakotas to Arkansas, plummeted for the month reaching its lowest level since the middle of the last U.S. recession.

Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group, coordinates the monthly report.

Goss says it will get worse in the months ahead.

Goss says employment also plunged.

Goss says looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the April Business Confidence Index, rebounded to a still weak 45.5 from March’s record low 14.5 as businesses waited for the impacts of increased federal aid.