March state taxable sales exceed $4 billion; 14 percent gain seen

Taxable sales in Nevada exceeded $4 billion in March, a 14 percent increase over the same month last year.

Sales are now up 14.4 percent for the first three quarters of this fiscal year.

Even though the Economic Forum bumped its projections up substantially May 2, the gross revenue collections from those sales are already $12.8 million above that forecast. Collections for March alone were more than $304.7 million.

Carson City was up just 2.9 percent to $88.1 million. But the capital is up 5.5 percent for the fiscal year with total sales of more than $721.7 million.

Douglas reported a 6.2 percent increase to $72 million, and 7.8 percent for the fiscal year at $596 million worth of taxable sales.

With the resurgence of the mining industry, Lander, White Pine and Lincoln counties each reported increases of more than 100 percent over last March. Statewide, taxable sales to metal mining firms were up 124.8 percent to more than $24 million for the month.

Churchill County turned in a 20 percent increase to $26.37 million, and Lyon had a 17.9 percent increase to $37.3 million for the month. Both of those counties are also reporting a double-digit increase for the fiscal year.

Storey County reported a 60 percent increase for the month - $6.96 million in sales.

Only three of Nevada's 17 counties reported a decrease in total taxable sales: Esmeralda, Mineral and Pershing.

Sales by auto dealers were up 10.5 percent and construction special-trade sales increased 22.8 percent. General-merchandise stores turned in a 9.9 percent increase.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.