OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) – The August Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota and the Dakotas to Arkansas, fell below growth neutral for the first time since November 2016.

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

Goss says tariffs and the ongoing trade war are having an impact.

Goss says the August employment index also dropped sharply.

Goss says economic optimism, as captured by the August Business Confidence Index, plunged to 45.0 from July’s 51.4. This is a 35-month low for the confidence reading.