Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index for Iowa fell to 49.9 in July, a tick below growth-neutral. The reading was down from June’s 51.1.

There was good news on the job market, at least in urban areas. Iowa’s new-hiring index jumped to 61.1 in July from 48.9 in June. Urban areas have seen a 1.4% growth in jobs over the past 12 months, but rural areas lost 1% in the same period, Creighton reported after its monthly survey of bank CEOs in a 10-state region.

The regional index fell to 50.2 in July from 53.2 the month before, marking the seventh time in eight months the reading was above growth-neutral. Anything above 50 suggests growth. 

“Higher agriculture commodity prices and rebuilding from recent floods supported the Rural Mainstreet Index for the month,” said Creighton economist Ernie Goss.