OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) – The October Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota and the Dakotas to Arkansas, climbed above growth neutral after two straight months of being below the fifty threshold.

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

Goss says the regional economy had some outside support.

Goss says hiring trends have turned positive again.

Goss says looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the October Business Confidence Index, slipped to a very weak 47.3 from September’s 47.7 reading.