Interest rates keep job growth down in the Mid-America region

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- A monthly survey of business leaders in Oklahoma found the monthly business conditions index improved in December.<br/><br/>The survey by Creighton University economist Ernie Goss found

Tuesday, January 3rd 2006, 1:03 pm

By: News On 6

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- A monthly survey of business leaders in Oklahoma found the monthly business conditions index improved in December.

The survey by Creighton University economist Ernie Goss found Oklahoma's index at 59.2, up from 54.5 in November.

An index above 50 indicates an expanding economy.

Goss says the telecommunications industry in Oklahoma is improving and business service firms are expanding. But he says the transportation industry is suffering economic weaknesses.

Goss says Oklahoma should gain about 14,000 new jobs during the first six months of 2006 despite plans by General Motors to shut down its assembly plant in Oklahoma City.