Nevada taxable sales jump 5.7 percent in July

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 | 11:32 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Taxable sales, one indicator of the Nevada economy, grew by 5.7 percent in July, the second highest percentage gain this year.

The state Taxation Department reported today sales reached $2.4 billion with strong showings by restaurants, bars and car dealers.

The 5.7 percent is second only to the 7.9 percent jump recorded in February. And it shows the continued strength of business, particularly in Clark County.

Clark County produced an 8.3 percent increase in taxable sales, its best showing of the year.

Taxation Director David Pursell said statewide taxable sales rose in eating and drinking places by 10.6 percent; in car sales by 9.5 percent; in food stores by 14 percent and in general merchandise up 7.9 percent.

Sales in July in Clark County reached $1.749 billion, up from $1.614 billion of a year ago. The 8.2 percent surpassed the 8 percent recorded in February.

The department reported business in bars and restaurant in Clark County totaled $379.2 million, up 12.6 percent. This coincides with the report earlier this month by the State Gaming Control Board that casino win in Clark County jumped 14 percent in July.

Clark County auto sales rose to $240.4 million, up 8.6 percent; general merchandise stores registered a 10 percent gain to $113 million; business in apparel and accessory stores jumped by 10 percent to $76.2 million and building material business increased by 7.8 percent to $110 million.

The only soft spot in the Southern Nevada economy in major categories was in the sale of home furniture, which fell 3.8 percent to $91.3 million compared to July of a year ago.

Merchants in Washoe County produced $420.1 million in taxable sales, up 2.8 percent; Douglas County business jumped 19.9 percent to $50.6 million and Carson City grew 2.7 percent to $64.7 million.

But sales in many of the rural counties dipped. White Pine County reported a 30.1 percent dip in taxable sales to $5.6 million; Mineral County fell by 24.7 percent to $3 million and Nye County business was off by 8.1 percent with $22 million in sales.