MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The Mid-America manufacturing economy ended 2025 with its weakest reading of the year, according to Creighton University’s latest Mid-America Business Conditions Index.
The overall index slipped to 47.6 in December, down from 49.5 in November. Any score below 50 suggests economic contraction.
Creighton economist Ernie Goss said the report shows a disconnect between strong national output and a softer jobs picture. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported real GDP increased at an annual rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025.
In the Creighton survey, the regional employment component fell to 44.0, marking the ninth straight month below growth neutral and the weakest jobs reading since May 2024, according to reports summarizing the index.
South Dakota’s reading was described as weak, with trade cited as a headwind as exports declined compared with year-ago levels, based on International Trade Administration data referenced in coverage of the report.
At the same time, a separate Creighton Rural Mainstreet Index showed modest improvement in December, rising to 50.1 — just above growth neutral — suggesting rural conditions may be stabilizing heading into 2026.