Survey Suggests Slower Midwest Economy

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An October survey of supply managers in nine Midwestern and Plains states suggests that the regional economy will continue to grow, but at a slower pace.

The Mid-America Business Conditions Index dropped for the fourth time in the past five months, to 52.3 last month from 56.3 in September.

The new figure is the lowest for the region since December.

The survey and report use a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the next three to six months, while a score below 50 suggests a contracting economy.

States in the survey are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

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