Iowa’s economy continues to show gradual improvements according to a monthly survey from Creighton University. Economist Dr. Ernie Goss says the survey indicates several positives for the Hawkeye State. He says the January survey trended upward — making it the third straight month with an upward trend.Goss says Iowa’s jobless figures are looking encouraging, both for companies that need to hire and for workers looking for jobs. He says the employment index was above 50, indicating there are job additions, instead of layoffs. Goss says the lack of hiring has been what’s hampered Iowa’s economic recovery. Goss says the Midwest is continuing to recover from the economic downturn of the past several months. He says the nine-state region in the survey was much like the national survey, with new orders looking better.Goss says the ever-changing landscape of international politics, oil production and potential warfare could undermine any recovery in the Iowa economy — but he won’t speculate on whether war would hurt or help. Goss says Iowa’s latest ranking on the monthly survey of purchasing managers and business leaders is the best since August of 2002.