As part of an effort to identify ways in which Midland College (Texas) and local businesses can respond to the economic needs of the community, these three papers by the Midland's Business and Economic Development Center offer various perspectives on the economic climate and labor market of the Permian Basis. The first report, "Midland's Economy: Past, Present and Future," provides an overview of the economic base of the area in oil and gas and manufacturing; longitudinal data on employment in dependent sectors such as finance, insurance, real estate, construction, transportation, communication, utilities, trade, services, and government; and an analysis of real estate trends in housing, office space, apartments, and retail centers. A discussion of the outlook for Midland's economy concludes the report. Next, "The Midland/Odessa Economy: Foundation and Future," presents information on the external factors which influence the region's oil-based economy, such as international economics and politics, and national tax and energy policies. In addition, the paper discusses the outlook and options for future of the region's economy. Finally, "Report on Labor Demand in the Permian Basin" presents results of a study conducted in 1989 to explore the future labor needs of employers in the 17 county area of western Texas, utilizing a survey of 130 area businesses. Results of the survey, which requested information on the present number of employees and estimated numbers of employees that will be needed by the years 1994 and 2000, are presented in two formats. The first format gives the projected total of employees that will be employed in 1989, 1994, and 2000. The second format presented provides the percentage of total workforce for each occupation in each year. Lists of the fastest and slowest growing fields are included. (JMC)