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ended in 2009.
• "I expect the regional economy to lose both manufacturing and non-manufacturing jobs, albeit at a slow pace, in the final quarter of 2012," Goss said.
• Job gains in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Iowa will be offset by job losses in the other six states, he predicted. While strength in the energy industry is fueling growth in North Dakota and Oklahoma, Iowa is growing mostly because of strong manufacturing performance.
• The prices-paid index increased to 66 in September from August's 65.2, suggesting inflation ahead.
• "The combination of drought conditions and the Federal Reserve's easy or cheap money policies are driving the wholesale level higher," Goss said.
• The confidence index, which measures how optimistic business leaders are about the next six months, registered 44.7 in September. That was slightly better than August's 44.3.
• The inventory index grew to 49.2 in September from August's 47.3. That suggests that the decline of inventory levels in the region is slowing.
• The export order index increased to 48.7 in September from August's 48.3. The import index declined to 48.9 from August's 51.4.
• "Given the importance of exports to past regional growth, the downturn in new export orders is another factor that will contribute to a final quarter that is lackluster," Goss said.
• Other components of the September index were:
• -- New orders at 48.7, up from August's 46.1.
• -- Production or sales up to 51.7 in September from 49.5.
• And delivery lead time at 56.4, up from August's 56.2.
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• HURON, S.D. (AP) -- Attendance at this year's South Dakota State Fair increased for the sixth year in a row.
• Fair officials say 192,790 people took in the fair during its five-day run in Huron in late August and early September. That was up 1 percent from 2011. Fair revenues increased 10 percent over the year.
• Fair Manager Jerome Hertel says the attendance increases have come despite budget cuts and a sluggish economy in recent years.
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