Rural Mainstreet Economy Index at Highest Level in 15 Months

(Iowa) -- Good news for the Midwest rural economy.

November's Rural Mainstreet Index rose to above growth neutral for the first time in 15 months, up significantly from October. The overall reading for the ten-state region, including Iowa and Nebraska, rose to 50.2 percent, up from October's 35.2 percent. While farm equipment sales and farmland prices are down, revenue from agriculture goods and livestock is up just over a full percentage point compared to this time last year.