Economists say Midwest economy on the rise | Business

Economists say the regional economy for nine Midwest and Plains states continue to improve at a healthy pace that is reflected by encouraging numbers on the jobs front.

The Business Conditions Index for our region rose to 63.2% in February 2011 from 58.9% in January.

The survey says 11.3% of supply manager firms reported layoffs last month, compared with 24% at the beginning of the nation's economic rebound in July 2009.

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