The Business Conditions Index for Kansas rose to its highest level since June of 2000, according to the Mid-America Business Conditions Survey.

The overall index from January’s survey of Kansas supply managers and business leaders rose to 60 from December’s 46.1 and November’s 48.5.

Strong new orders of 72.2, production of 61.1, inventories of 61.1, and employment of 55.6, helped push the overall index higher. The increase in new orders from December’s weak 40.9 is particularly promising.

“This should translate into greater hiring in the months to come,” Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss said. “However, I expect the upturn in hiring to come in the second quarter of this year.”