OMAHA, Neb. (WNAX) – The March 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 September 2016.

Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group, says the economy is rapidly weakening.

Goss says employment is also rapidly falling.

Goss says international business is also getting worse.

Looking ahead six months, Goss says economic optimism, as captured by the March Business Confidence Index, plunged to a record low 14.5 from February’s 51.4 and January’s 58.8.

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