Despite the threat of war, the Iowa economy continues to show signs of improvement according to the monthly survey of nine Midwestern states conducted by Creighton University. Dr. Ernie Goss, a Creighton economist, says Iowa’s economic picture was “surprisingly strong” for the month of February. Goss says the food processing and other manufacturing companies of non-durable goods did better.Dr. Goss says Iowa’s “business conditions index” has risen for four straight months in the survey of supply managers and business leaders. He says Iowa’s employment picture also bucked the Midwestern trend as most states didn’t report much new hiring.Goss says gasoline prices are between 50 and 60 cents a gallon higher than they were a year ago, which is hurting many Iowa businesses. He says if the price of oil holds at 40 dollars a barrel, it will restrain growth. Goss says economic readings for the Hawkeye State are the best since August of last year.
