Reports on vehicle sales are somewhat mixed. They are generally strong in urban areas, and weaker in rural ones. A Montana General Motors dealer describes significant sales declines as a result of the strike but notes generally good demand overall. North and South Dakota dealers' representatives describe moderate to good sales in larger cities, but very sluggish ones in smaller towns that are dependent on agriculture. Tourist businesses across the district generally had a good summer season.
Spokespersons describe cheap gasoline and favorable weather as beneficial factors.
National destinations such as Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone and Glacier parks had somewhat higher visitation than in 1997. A source in South Dakota said that warm weather and crop conditions favor good fall hunting. Paul labor markets. Many school districts in that region were short dozens of drivers as schools opened. Unemployment rates remain very low, in some cases at record low levels, in most urban areas of the district.