OMAHA, Neb. (AP) A nine-state Midwest and Plains economic survey index fell for the second straight month in June.

A survey report released Monday for the Mid-America Business Conditions Index says it dropped to 57.2 last month, compared with 57.6 in May. The index was 60 in April.

In the survey any score above 50 suggests growth. A score below 50 suggests decline.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the businesses that were surveyed are still benefiting from healthy farm income and exports, but the activity is slowing. Global economic problems are pushing export orders into negative territory.

A quarter of the managers surveyed say the biggest hurdle in the next year is implementation of health care reform. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

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