OMAHA, Nebraska -- Regional economic numbers for the month of May are looking better than the month before--but only a little.
The nine-state Mid-America Business Index increased to 43.5 from April’s 35.1. An index score of 50 is considered "growth neutral."
"It's still in a range indicating we're in a recession in the manufacturing sector. The overall regional economy in the weeks and months ahead will be in a recession" says Creighton University economist Ernie Goss.
He says a gradual re-opening of the region's economy in May is having a positive effect on jobless numbers and the overall economy.
"First time claims for unemployment insurance that had been rising are now coming down. Continuing claims have actually moved down as well, but we need to see that move lower" Goss says.
He says a vaccine for COVID-19 is desperately needed--that a second wave of the virus later this year will only make matters worse.
"Where we see the spreading and seeing higher rates of death and higher rates of infection, that would be a very bad signal for the Mid-American economy--for the US economy" Goss says
Goss says the survey shows the COVID-19 pandemic in the region had a less significant economic effect on manufacturing than other parts of the economy more directly tied to consumers.
States included in the Mid-America Business Index survey are Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.