Rural Mainstreet Index

Rural Mainstreet Index

Rural Mainstreet Index Plunges: A Bellwether of Economic Headwinds and Commodity Market Woes

The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI), a critical barometer of economic health across a 10-state agricultural and energy-dependent region of the heartland, has registered a concerning and persistent decline, signaling significant economic headwinds. This prolonged downturn, with the index frequently falling below growth-neutral throughout 2025, points to deep-seated stress within the