OMAHA, Neb. — A business conditions index for nine Midwest and Plains states rose over the past month, pointing to continuing improvement in regional economic conditions, an economist said in a report released Tuesday.

The Mid-America Business Conditions Index climbed to 59.0 from 57.2 in November, the report said. The October figure was 58.8.

“Although the inflation gauge is elevated, I would characterize the region as having a ‘goldilocks’ economy,” said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey. “That is not so hot as to push the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at a stepped-up pace, but not so cool as to slow employment gains.”

The regional wholesale inflation gauge cooled to a still strong 71.3 from November’s 71.4, reflecting the regional inflationary pressures.

“Even though both our regional wholesale inflation index and the U.S. inflation gauge are elevated, I expect the Federal Reserve to forgo a short-term interest rate hike at the next meeting of their rate-setting committee on Feb. 1.” Goss said.