Iowa’s Rural Mainstreet Index jumped to 51.5 in April, up from 50.2, Creighton University reported.

Though across the region floods helped boost farm lending, Iowa’s farmland-price index climbed to 44.4 from March’s 35.7, Creighton’s survey of bankers in 10 central U.S. states found.

A reading above 50 suggests growth. The index for the Midwest region fell to 50, right at growth-neutral, in April. The reading had been 52.9 in March. 

“Our surveys over the last several months indicate the Rural Mainstreet economy is expanding outside of agriculture. However, this month, 43.8 percent of bank CEOs indicated that the recent floods were having a negative impact on their local economy,” said Creighton economist Ernie Goss.