The regional economy grew to a nearly three-year high this month, according to Creighton University’s June rural mainstreet index. .The index, which tracks the sentiments of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region, increased to 52.6 from 45.7 in May. Any reading higher than 50 indicates positive sentiments. More than half of bank CEOs reported stable small business growth, while four of 10 cited “modest business declines.” CEOs estimated average cash rent per acre for farmland was $251 per acre, little changed from four years ago. Despite the uptick in the economy, rural bankers remained relatively pessimistic over potential economic growth over the next six months. This month’s economic confidence index increased to 42.1 from 34.8 in May. “In spite of the potential for year-round E-15 ethanol sales, weak grain prices, higher input prices and expected negative farm cash flows continue to weigh on banker confidence,” said Ernie Goss, chair in regional economics at Creighton’s Heider College of Business.Regional exports of agriculture goods and livestock increased nearly 5 percent in the first four months of this year to $3.86 billion, according to the International Trade Association. Despite the increase in regional exports and exports of livestock and agriculture goods to China compared to 2025, trade numbers to the country remain much lower than in 2024 amid tariffs, market shifts toward South America and an economic slowdown in the second-most populated country in the world. The farm and ranchland price index increased for the second straight month, this time to 55.3 from 50.1 in May. “Though farm and ranchland values have been holding up much better than farm income, weak farm income, lower farm liquidity and tougher credit standards have restrained farmland values,” Goss said. This month’s farm equipment sales index increased to a still-low 28.9 from 18.2 in May. The index has been below 50 for nearly three straight years. Goss attributed the low numbers to volatility in the agricultural sector, the conflict between the United States/Israel and Iran along with tariffs on imported aluminum/steel. Other June report findings included: The new hiring index increased to 47.4 from 43.5 in May as the rural job market has remained lackluster in recent months for farms, ranches and non-farm rural employers. The overall U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent in May.The loan volume index increased to 76.3 from 67.4 in May, while the checking deposit index grew to 57.9 from 54.3 the previous month. The region’s index for certificates of deposits fell to 47.4 from 60.9. June’s home sales index increased to 50.0 from 47.8 in May, while the regional retail sales index increased to 42.1 from 41.3 in May.
