Survey: Minn. manufacturing in slump
by Annie Baxter, Minnesota Public RadioST. PAUL, Minn. — A gauge of economic activity among Minnesota's manufacturers continued to languish in October.
October was the fourth straight month in which the Minnesota Business Conditions index registered a pull-back in the state's manufacturing sector. The index hovered around 47 last month. Readings below 50 suggest economic contraction in the coming months.
Non-durable goods producers, especially food processors, are showing particular weakness, according to the survey produced by Creighton University.
The survey indicates the manufacturing sector will shed jobs at a slight pace in the months ahead.
The overall Mid-America index, which includes eight other Midwestern states, is pointing to a slowdown in manufacturing activity in the next three to six months.
• Follow Annie Baxter on Twitter: http://twitter.com/baxtermpr
Annie Baxter
• ReporterAnnie Baxter started her radio trajectory answering the phones at a pledge drive at KQED, San Francisco's NPR member station, and managed to wriggle her way into an internship soon thereafter.
