OMAHA, N.E.(KELO)-The regional manufacturing economy ended 2025 on a sour note…turning in its weakest performance of the year.

At the same time, there are some hopeful signs for the regional farm economy this year.

Economist Ernie Goss says Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index released is a study in contrast.

South Dakota’s performance was weak…hurt by exports which declined to 1.2-billion dollars from 1 and a half billion a year ago.

The economy has been turning in a stronger-than-expected performance, with fourth quarter growth at 4.3-percent

That’s much stronger than a year ago…but job numbers aren’t keeping pace.

Employers aren’t firing employees…but they aren’t hiring either.

Goss says finding a job is especially tough for those just entering the job market.

If things continue as they are, Goss expects we’ll see a rebound in hiring in the second half of this year.