OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new report suggests slow economic growth is ahead for nine Midwestern and Plains states. The survey report issued Wednesday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index dropped to 51.4 in March from 57 in February. The January figure was 54.8.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says manufacturers of nondurable goods reported that sales, production and employment have weakened over the past several months. The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth, while a score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.