DES MOINES, Iowa - The farm economy is improving in the Midwest.
The Rural Mainstreet Index rose in June to 53.2.
Any number over 50 indicates growth.
The index was 48.5 in May.
According to economist Ernie Goss, higher commodity prices and rebuilding after the floods have helped boost the economy.
The Rural Mainstreet Index is a survey of bankers from nine states including Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wyoming, and Colorado.
The June RMI for Iowa expanded to 51.1 from May’s 46.5.
The Illinois RMI for June went up as well, going from 46.3 in May to 51.0 in June.
In Nebraska, the RMI for June was 50.6, up from 45.9 last month.