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healthy pace. Motor vehicle manufacturers and metal producers in the state are experiencing upturns in business activity," Goss said.
• Nebraska: For a second straight month, Nebraska's overall index was below growth neutral. But the index improved to 48.3 in November from 47. Components of the index were new orders at 45.9, production or sales at 48.4, delivery lead time at 50.3, inventories at 46.3, and employment at 50.8. "Transportation firms, trucking and rail, continue to benefit from expanding economic conditions among Nebraska's manufacturers. On the other hand, construction activity has softened," Goss said.
• North Dakota: The overall index decreased to 55.3 in November from 59. Components of the overall index were new orders at 51.5, production or sales at 47.7, delivery lead time at 73.6, employment at 61.3, and inventories at 42.7. "Durable goods manufacturers and construction firms linked to North Dakota's large energy sector continue to experience very healthy economic activity," Goss said.
• Oklahoma: The state's overall index improved to 49.3 in November from October's 48.6, but the index remained the growth-neutral level of 50. The overall index includes new orders at 50.8, production or sales at 48, delivery lead time at 48.8, inventories at 49.4, and employment at 49.3. "Manufacturing firms tied to the state's energy sector experienced pullbacks in economic activity for the month. Construction activity also slowed for November," Goss said.
• South Dakota: The overall index for the state remained in positive territory but declined to 52.3 from 54.7 in October. Components of the index were new orders at 60.7, production or sales at 58.4, delivery lead time at 44.5, inventories at 43.9, and employment at 54.1. "Manufacturers in South Dakota experienced solid improvements for November. Nonfarm employment in the state is at a record level and well above pre-recession levels," Goss said.
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• OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- The temporary resolution of the budget stalemate in Washington, D.C., has made business leaders more optimistic in nine Midwest and Plains states, but only modest economic growth is expected in the near future.
• The monthly survey's overall economic index crept up to 51.2 in November. That's just above the growth-neutral 50 score recorded in October.
• "I expect the holiday buying season to be up from last year, but it will not be a robust holiday buying season, with sales up between 3 and 4 percent from last year," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss.
• The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,

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