March 2026 Mid-America Report on Manufacturing with Creighton University Economics Professor Ernie Goss, PhD

The March 2026 Mid-America Manufacturing Report showed continued mixed signals for the region’s economy, according to Ernie Goss, PhD, economics professor at Creighton University. While some sectors are seeing modest growth and stabilization in supply chains, overall manufacturing activity remains under pressure due to higher interest rates, soft global demand, and ongoing labor challenges. Goss noted that the region’s purchasing managers index continues to hover near contraction territory, reflecting caution among producers, though pockets of resilience—particularly in energy-related and agricultural equipment industries—offer some optimism heading into the second quarter.