Rural Economy Continues Negative Growth Trend

For the 16th time in the past 17 months, Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index sank below the 50.0 reading in January, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. The region’s overall reading for January increased to a weak 42.3 from December’s 39.6. A reading of 50.0 represents growth neutral.