Economic conditions across the rural Midwest continued weakening in October as rising agricultural production costs placed additional pressure on communities. Creighton University's Rural Mainstreet Index declined to 42.5, down from 44.7 in September. Any reading below 50 indicates economic contraction. The monthly survey includes rural bank executives across ten agriculture- and energy-dependent states. Creighton economist Ernie Goss says sharply higher diesel and fertilizer prices, combined with supply chain disruptions, are weighing on the rural economy.

<p>By: NATHAN STUEDLE</p><p>Economic conditions across the rural Midwest continued weakening in October as rising agricultural production costs placed additional pressure on communities. Creighton University's Rural Mainstreet Index declined to 42.5, down from 44.7 in September. Any reading below 50 indicates economic contraction. The monthly survey includes rural bank executives across ten agriculture- and energy-dependent states. Creighton economist Ernie Goss says sharply higher diesel and fertilizer prices, combined with supply chain disruptions, are weighing on the rural economy.</p>

Rural Mainstreet Index falls as farm costs climb