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Driving home the point that our nation's immediate economic future still is as murky as ever, last week brought two somewhat conflicting reports with relevance nationally and locally. Each warrants attention as we look toward our important winter tourism season and the 2009 budgeting process for city and county government.

First was last week's report of a 3.3 percent increase in gross domestic product for the second quarter of 2008. It was the strongest growth since the third quarter of 2007, and comes on the heels of 0.2 percent decrease in the final quarter of 2007 and a 0.9 percent increase in the first three months of this year. The uptick gives reason for optimism.

However, economists also warn about a potential GDP decrease at the end of the year, and a drop in consumer spending looms as a very real possibility despite 1.7 percent growth in that area in the second quarter. Consistent with the inconsistency of present economic forecasts, consumer confidence increased last week but still hovers near the historic low, according to the ABC News Consumer Comfort Index.

So what does it all mean for Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley? Based on refreshingly candid remarks from Intrawest Chief Marketing Officer Andy Wirth, Steamboat should prepare for a similarly unpredictable winter.

In an interview last week with the Steamboat Pilot & Today, Wirth cautioned that local businesses could experience this winter what other tourist destinations already are seeing - less travelers staying for shorter amounts of time and spending less money per day.

Wirth tempered the gloomy outlook by acknowledging that it still is too early to tell how ski season bookings will fare come winter. Count us among the majority in this community who hope last year's record-setting snow and a rebound in the economy erase any such fears come the holiday season.

Nonetheless, Wirth's honest assessment combined with current economic realities should not be lost on local governments as they plan 2009 budgets and on local businesses as they prepare for another ski season.

The city of Steamboat Springs is facing sizable budget cuts and must grapple with difficult, emotional issues such as community support spending. The county likewise will be forced to make decisions that emphasize government efficiency and prioritization.

Area businesses also would be wise to consider what they can do to appeal to visitors preparing to spend less time and money in Steamboat Springs this winter.

Let's not forget that the past several years have been particularly good to Routt County, with consistently strong tourism and rapidly appreciating real estate values. And while there's certainly no need to panic about our immediate economic future, the decisions we make now will help soften any potential blows in the months to come.