News Articleshttp://www.wnta.org/news-articles/en-US2010-03-12T10:05:45ZSquarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Rural bankers economic survey index dropshttp://www.wnta.org/news-articles/2010/2/19/rural-bankers-economic-survey-index-drops.htmlWNTA2010-02-19T17:51:37Z

OMAHA -- Rural bankers believe that a hiring drought, fear of anemic commodity prices and concern over the high cost of farming are hurting the Midwest's rural economy, according to survey results released Friday.

Bankers from 11 Midwest and Plains states who participated in the Rural Mainstreet survey were asked to identify the biggest economic challenge to the region's economy in 2010. More than a third -- 38 percent -- said they expect a lack of new hiring by businesses to be the most significant hurdle.

About 30 percent said weak commodity prices will be the largest problem, while 16 percent cited expectations of high input prices to farm, such as for fertilizer, animal feed and fuel.]]>