Midwest manufacturers growing, led by South Dakota and Minnesota

South Dakota and Minnesota led the pack for March among Midwestern states in a closely watched manufacturing survey that showed much-improved employment conditions and creeping inflationary pressure.

Creighton University's nine-state Mid-America Business Conditions Index released Monday was a strong 60.1, down slightly from 60.5 in February but still showing the fourth straight month of growth.

Any index higher than 50 indicates growth. The Institute for Supply Management's survey, also released Monday, indicated a national manufacturing growth index of 57.2.

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