The midwest economy continues to slowly improve, according to Creighton University professor Ernie Goss. He says it points to the likelihood that the second half of 2003 will be better than the first half, even though it’s down a bit from June. Goss predicts the second half of this year’s going to see continued improvement in Iowa’s durable-goods sector, for employers like Maytag.Businesses he surveys report not much hiring, even though business is up and they’re optimistic about the future and things are better in this part of the country than in the rest of the nation. He says there are some good indications for areas of the economy.Goss says “consumer durables” including home construction are having a better year and he especially sees improvement in the next half of the year. Dr. Goss surveys purchasing managers in a nine-state midwestern region to compile his monthly index of business conditions.