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little job growth, the state's unemployment rate has now moved well below the national jobless rate," Goss said. Since the national economic recovery began in July 2009, Missouri has lost almost 6,000 manufacturing jobs. "Our surveys over the past several months point to slight job losses for both manufacturing and nonmanufacturing for the first half of 2013," he said.
• Nebraska: For the fifth time in the past six months, Nebraska's overall index remained below growth neutral. It rose 1.1 percentage points to a weak 48.4 from November's 47.3. Components of the index for December were new orders at 45.5, production or sales at 45.8, delivery lead time at 49.6, inventories at 54.3 and employment at 46.7. Nebraska was one of only three states in the region to expand its labor force over the past year. Despite growth in the labor market, Nebraska added jobs at a pace that reduced its unemployment rate to the second-lowest in the nation. "Our surveys over the past several months point to slow to no job gains for the first half of 2013 for both manufacturing and nonmanufacturing," Goss said.
• North Dakota: After rising to a regional high for much of 2012, the overall North Dakota index dropped to a level pointing to slower growth in the months ahead. The index slumped to 50.9 in December from 58.1 in November and 64.1 in October. Components of the overall index were new orders at 48.4, production or sales at 61.4, delivery lead time at 51.8, employment at 44.5 and inventories at 48.4. North Dakota expanded its labor force over the past year and added jobs at a pace that reduced its unemployment rate to the lowest in the nation. "Our surveys over the past several months point to no job gains for the first half of 2013 in manufacturing and only modest positive increases for nonmanufacturing. Shortages of labor and housing will continue to restrain North Dakota's growth," Goss said.
• Oklahoma: The state's overall index dropped to 52.1 from 56.1 in November. Components of the December index were new orders at 56.9, production or sales at 43.7, delivery lead time at 46.0, inventories at 67.7 and employment at 46.1. Oklahoma also expanded its labor force over the past year and also added jobs at a pace that reduced its unemployment rate significantly. "Our surveys over the past several months point to positive job and economic gains for the first half of 2013," said Goss.
• South Dakota: South Dakota's overall index rose to a tepid 51.9 from November's 48.9 and October's 45.3. Components of the index for December were new orders at 61.6, production or sales at 58.2, delivery lead time at 58.7, inventories at 26.9 and employment at 54.3. "Over the last year, the South Dakota labor force shrank by approximately 2,600 workers," Goss said. "Thus, despite almost no job growth, South Dakota's unemployment rate has continued to move lower. Since the

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