Most of the coal mining in the Region occurs here, and the deposits are physically separate from other coal producing areas of the Region. A marble stone quarry is also active in this sub-region. Tourism is primarily a summer and autumn activity in most of Delta County, but the Grand Mesa National Forest and the Grand Mesa are used throughout the year. Turning tourism into a year-round usage is a primary objective of the entire area. The North Fork Valley is currently serving as a bedroom community for service workers in the Glenwood Springs-Aspen corridor.
Housing is in high demand in the area.
The City of Delta has the second largest population of all the towns in the Region and has the largest population in Delta County. Delta is at an important junction of U.S. Highway 50 and State Highway 92. Freight railroad lines, running east to the North Fork Valley and south to Montrose, merge at Delta in-route to Grand Junction and run north. Delta is within reasonable commuting distance to all parts of the County. Delta's facilities and services include a full-service hospital.