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<br />The impact of recreational activity on the 'local economy is <br />reflected primarily in the retail trade and service sectors through <br />direct expenditures, as well as providing additional employment. <br /> <br />Commercial and Government Activities <br /> <br />Except for some decrease in construction, transportation and <br />utilities, employment in all other commercial sectors increased <br />during the period 1950 to 1960 (Table III). Recent trends in con- <br />struction activities indicate considerable growth for the economy, <br />particularly in the Montrose City area. This is attributed primarily <br />to increased Federal activity in large dam construction on the <br />Gunnison River and increased recreational activity. <br /> <br />A number of Federal and State Government agencies maintain <br />offices in Montrose and Delta. Employment in government activities <br />represented 6.8 percent of the labor force in 1960. Increased <br />employment in the government sector can be expected in the next <br />few decades. <br /> <br />The Western Colorado Power Company and the Delta-Montrose Power <br />Association serve the urban and rural area with a complete system <br />of transmission lines. <br /> <br />Future Growth <br /> <br />The economic projections were based on the general assumption <br />that the Nation and the Colorado River Basin will experience a <br />relatively high level of employment, stable prices, and continued <br />development and adoption of technology consistent with needs of an <br />increasing population. <br /> <br />Future Population and Labor Force <br /> <br />Future population and labor force estimates for the study area <br />are shown in Table IV. The agriculture industry is expected to <br />decline in relative importance throughout the projection period. <br />Employment in agriculture, however, is expected to increase to 1985 <br />with the development of the Dallas Creek Project and to decline <br />thereafter as a result of anticipated efficiency and productivity <br />increases"and the trend to larger farm units. Mining employment <br />is expected to increase from 4.9 percent of the labor force in 1960 <br />to 5.4 percent in 1985 and to remain relatively stable as a percent <br />of the labor force thereafter. Manufacturing employment Is expected <br />to double by 1985, reaching peak growth rate in about 1990 or 2000. <br /> <br />15 <br />