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, advanced above growth neutral, and to its highest level in two years.

Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group, says the overall index showed a strong gain.

Goss says businesses continue to hire workers.

Goss says most businesses also struggle to find enough workers to add.

Goss says looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the August Business Confidence Index, climbed to a strong 73.3, its highest level since February 2018, and up from 68.3 in July.