Omaha, Neb. ? Job growth slowed to the lowest level in the last two years in the Mid-American Region last month as the food processing industry continued to struggle, according to a monthly survey of supply managers and business leaders.

And the overall index in the Mid-America Business Conditions Survey fell for the third month in a row to 56.9, down from 58.3 in October.

“Higher interest rates and elevated energy costs are cooling growth in the nine-state region,” Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss said Thursday.

The overall index, called the Business Conditions Index, ranges between zero and 100. An index number of 50 or higher indicates an expansionary economy during the next three to six months.

Despite the slow job growth, the business leaders Goss surveyed were more confident about the economy in November, thanks to lower oil prices. The confidence index for the region increased to 51.8, up from October’s weak rating of 45.5.

November’s job index declined to 52.1 – the lowest level since November 2003.

Construction companies and durable-goods producers reported adding jobs in November while business services firms and nondurable-goods manufacturers reported lower employment levels.