Business index shows slowing economy in Oklahoma, region

<br>(Omaha, Nebraska-AP) -- A survey of business conditions shows a slowing economy in Oklahoma and the Mid-America region. <br><br>The Business Conditions Index in Oklahoma fell to 43.8 in December, down

Friday, January 2nd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Omaha, Nebraska-AP) -- A survey of business conditions shows a slowing economy in Oklahoma and the Mid-America region.

The Business Conditions Index in Oklahoma fell to 43.8 in December, down from 54.2 in November. The index for the nine-state region that includes Oklahoma declined from 59.4 in November to 55.9 last month.

An index above 50 indicates an expanding economy. An index below 50 indicates the economy is contracting.

The index is compiled by Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss.

Goss says the survey did not detect any fallout from the ban by Asian countries on US beef because of the mad cow incident. Goss says if the ban remains in place Oklahoma could lose about 1,100 jobs.