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Economic survey suggests optimism for Midwest
• OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- The economy will likely continue growing slowly in nine Midwestern and Plains states in the months ahead, according to a new survey of business leaders released Thursday.
• The monthly survey's overall index remained at a weak level even though it improved to 53.2 in December from November's 51.2. Any score above 50 suggests growth.
• "The resolution of the federal budget impasse and improvements in the nation's housing sector boosted supply managers' business outlook for the month," Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said.
• The confidence index for the region jumped to 66.5 in December from November's 57.2, suggesting managers are quite optimistic about the next six months.
• The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
• The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor, while a score below that suggests decline.
• Goss, who oversees the survey, said businesses tied to agriculture continue to report softer economic conditions, but transportation firms partially offset that weakness with strong job growth.
• The overall employment index fell to 48.7 in December from November's 51.2.
• Business managers remain concerned that inflation could be a problem in 2014. In December, the inflation index increased to 63.6 from 61.6 in November.
• The inventory index climbed to 51.3 in December from November's 48.1. Goss said that's another optimistic signal.
• The other components of the December index were:
• -- Export index declined to 55.6 in December from November's 56.4.
• -- Import index slipped to 47.2 from November's 53.5.
• -- New orders improved slightly to 57.4, up from 57.2 in November.
• -- Production or sales increase to 56.8 from November's 53.3.
• And delivery lead time grew to 52 in December, up from 50.7.
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Blizzard debris cleanup complete in Rapid City
• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- Cleanup of tree branch debris following an early October blizzard in western South Dakota has wrapped up in Rapid City but continues in Sturgis.
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