From Creighton Uni's Heider College of Business:
Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI)
OMAHA, Nebraska (May 21, 2026) - According to the May survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) dropped below growth neutral for the fourth straight month.
Overall: The region’s overall reading for May dropped to 45.7 from April’s 47.9. This marks the 15th time since January 2025 that the index has moved below the growth neutral threshold. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.
“Weakness in farm commodity prices and elevated agriculture input costs are spilling over into the rural business community. Approximately, 47.8% of bankers reported that the financial position of farmers in their area had deteriorated in 2026 from 2025,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.
Farming and ranchland prices: After three straight months of falling farm and ranchland values, the region’s farm and ranchland price index expanded for May to a tepid 50.1 from 48.0 in April. “Though farm and ranchland values have been holding up much better than farm income, weak farm income, lower farm liquidity and tougher credit standards have restrained farmland values,” said Goss.
Jim Eckert, Executive VP and Trust Officer of Anchor State Bank in Anchor, Illinois, reported that, “Crops in our area of Central Illinois are mostly planted. Recent rains have improved ground moisture levels. Timely rain will still be necessary to raise a good crop. The combination of low grain prices and higher fuel and input costs have all our farmers worried.”....
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