- Overall index dipped but remained in strong growth territory from March’s record high.
- The farmland price index advanced its highest level since November 2012.
- The farm equipment-sales index rose to its highest reading since February 2013.
- Housing index soars to record level with bids above listing prices.
- Lack of available workers is restraining job growth.
- Approximately 9.1% of farmland sales over past six months have gone to nonfarmer investors.
- Fully 100% of bank CEOs indicated that export markets were important, or very important, to their local economy.
OMAHA, Neb. (April 15, 2021) – For the fifth straight month, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above growth neutral. According to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
Overall: The overall index for April slipped to a still healthy 69.0 from a record high 71.9 in March. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. Approximately, 37.9% of bank CEOs reported that their local economy expanded between March and April.