OMAHA, Neb. — A new report suggests slow economic growth is ahead for nine Midwestern and Plains states.

The survey report issued Tuesday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index dropped to 51.4 in March from 57 in February. The January figure was 54.8.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he said manufacturers of nondurable goods reported that sales, production and employment have weakened over the past several months.

The survey results from supply managers are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100.