OMAHA, N.E.(WNAX)-For an eighth straight month, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota and the Dakotas to Arkansas, moved strongly into growth territory.

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

Goss says hiring was still in positive territory but showed some weaknesses.

Goss says inflation has the potential to be a major problem.

Goss says looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the January Business Confidence Index, jumped to 53.6 from December’s weak 45.8.