Since declining to a record low in April of last year, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index has remained above growth neutral for 15 of the last 16 months. The Index is a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, including Kansas and Oklahoma.
The Index, which ranges between 0 and 100, fell to a healthy 68.9 from July’s 73.1. Supply managers reported that supply chain bottlenecks represented the greatest challenge for the next 12 months and was restraining growth. The Kansas Business Conditions Index for August declined to 70.4 from 73.3 in July.