Iowa’s economy is seeing the first upturn in many months, according to a monthly survey of purchasing managers and business leaders. Creighton University economist Dr. Ernie Goss says he attributes the rise in activity to a variety of factors. He says new orders have picked up. He says much of that has to do with lower energy prices and interest rates.Dr. Goss says the numbers show the Midwest economy appears to be looking up, or at least it’s not looking any worse. He says this could spell the beginning of the end of the recession in Iowa and in the nation.Goss says Iowa’s jobless rate edged up a bit during December, a trend that may continue for a while, though it’s still among the lowest in the nation.Dr. Goss and his team conduct the survey every month in Iowa and eight other midwestern states.