OMAHA — A survey of bankers in Nebraska and nine other western and plain states featured a big drop in economic confidence.
The Rural Mainstreet Index for January dropped to 34.8. That’s down from 41.5 in December. A score above 50 suggests growth, while below shows decline.
The figure is at its lowest point since 2009. Survey runners at Creighton University blame lower prices for agriculture and energy commodities as well as downturns in financing.
It’s the fifth straight month of decline.
