Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago  

Release: Chicago Fed Midwest Economy Index  

Units:  Index Standard Deviation, Seasonally Adjusted

Frequency:  Monthly

This series represents the contributions of Iowa's construction sector to the Relative Midwest Economy Index (RMEI). This series is the weighted average of state variables measuring the growth in nonfarm business activity based on construction sector indicators for the Iowa.

A zero value represents an average contribution to RMEI by the state of Iowa construction sector, a rate historically consistent with the growth of the national economy, whereas positive values indicate above-average relative contribution; and negative values indicate below average relative contribution.

For further information about the Relative Midwest Economy Index, go to http://midwest.chicagofedblogs.org/archives/2011/03/mei_by_scott_br.html and http://chicagofed.org/digital_assets/publications/chicago_fed_letter/2010/cflnovember2010_280.pdf.