OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new report says an August survey of business supply managers suggests slow or no economic growth over the next several months in nine Midwest and Plains states.
The report issued Tuesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions index dropped below growth neutral in August, hitting 49.3 compared with 52.0 in July. The index had remained above growth neutral for 32 straight months.

Iowa’s overall index sank below the 50.0 threshold to hit 49.7 last month, compared with 52.6 in July. Index components were new orders at 51.8, production or sales at 49.4, delivery lead time at 59.4, employment at 45.7 and inventories at 42.1. Manufacturers experienced slightly positive growth over the past 12 months.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he blamed the slowdown on weak farm and manufacturing sectors, produced in part by tariffs and a global economic slowdown. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Members of the Atlantic City Council will meet in the Council’s Chambers 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall. On their agenda, is:

• A Proclamation by Mayor Dave Jones, recognizing Sept. 21st at Alzheimer’s Awareness Day. The City will join in the International community in bringing awareness of the disease.
• An order approving an Administrative Contract with SWIPCO (The Southwest Iowa Planning Council), for the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Downtown Revitalization Project. Alexis Fleener, Community Development Team Leader for SWIPCO, will be the grant administrator for the project, the services for which will cost $30,000. All of the costs are part of the grant itself, and are not part of the grant match, according to City Administrator John Lund.
• On a related note: The City Council will act on approving the final design contract for the CDBG project, the architectural and construction aspects of which will be handled by RDG Planning and Design. The total cost of their services is $130,000, $80,000 of which is from the grant, with the remaining $50,000 part of the City’s match. Eight downtown businesses are participating in the business revitalization program, with a combined share cost of $171,375.
  

  Building facade improvements proposed by RDG Architects.

• The Atlantic City Council will also consider a request from Brown’s Shoe Fit to close-off the sidewalk and parking at in front of the store at 502 Chestnut, for a Summer Clearance sale. City Code states that “It is unlawful….for goods or merchandise for sale or display…to interfere with the free and uninterrupted passage of pedestrians on the sidewalk…[and] more than three-feet of the sidewalk next to the building….”
• The Council will also act on a Resolution setting the salary of the Parks & Recreation Director (Bryant Rasmussen), after action last week by the City’s Personnel & Finance Committee, recommending his salary be $47,600. The increase was requested by the Parks Board, following Rasmussen’s change of employment status on August 19th from Interim Parks & Rec Director, to permanent Parks & Rec Director.
• And, the Council will hold a Public Hearing on Vacating a portion of the final plat of the Country Oaks Addition.

In other business, Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson, Wednesday, will make an announcement with regard to deer hunting within the City Limits. Erickson has received word from the Iowa DNR, and a recommendation, that only 10 Does be harvested this year inside the City. The Bow Hunting season would begin Oct. 1st, and end on Dec. 6th.

The City of Atlantic’s Community Development Committee will meet Wednesday evening at around 6-p.m., or immediately following the regular meeting of the Atlantic City Council. On the Committee’s agenda, is:

• Consideration of a Housing Rehabilitation Proposal from Shift ATL (Shift Atlantic). Jessie Shiels, Mackenzie Bandow, and Alexsis Fleener formed Shift ATL, a 501-C3, earlier this Summer. The non-profit organization is aimed at creating a positive shift for the Atlantic Community.
• The Committee will also consider a proposal from Terry Hinzman, with regard to the City Right-Of-Way between Teresa Drive and W. 15th Street.
• Consider their options with regard to a property at 508 Hazel.
• And they’ll discuss Community Property Standards.

GRIMES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man was burned when the boat engine he was working on caught fire in a Des Moines suburb. Firefighters were dispatched around 2:15 p.m. Monday to the residence in Grimes. They contained the flames to the garage in which the boat was parked. The injured man was taken to a hospital. He’s been identified as 37-year-old David Boots.

Police in Missouri Valley are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who allegedly committed a burglary Sunday night, at Valley Arms. Surveillance video still-frame imagery shows a white male with a blue shirt and bright green stocking cap with black bands. One of the bands has green lettering with the partial word “BOS” visible. If you have information that could help police catch the suspect, call 712-642-2736.

Gun store burglary suspect

Atlantic Municipal Utilities is working to shut-off water to the area between Birch and Hickory Streets this morning. The move is necessary so repairs could take place on a broken water main. It’s not clear how soon the main will be back on-line.