Taxable sales up 12 percent; 6.2 percent in Carson City

Driven by the rebirth of the construction industry, taxable sales increased 11.8 percent in January to just under $4.3 billion.

Churchill County had a 14.9 percent increase to $26.4 million in January. The majority of the increase was in just one category: Utilities. Taxable sales there went from $586,083 a year ago to $6.26 million this January. Churchill also saw a 78-percent increase in wholesale durable goods to $1.57 million.

Churchill County Comptroller Alan Kalt said year-to-date taxable sales for the seven months are up from $165,936,222 to $166,723,319 and statewide taxable sales for the seven-month period are up 6.6 percent. He said positive numbers from both Clark and Washoe counties are a positive trend that will benefit the rural counties.

“The revised Churchill estimate for the remaining year is slightly below the original budget amount but hopefully we will see increases in the coming months,” Kalt said.

He added General Merchandise, which includes Wal-mMart, showed positive growth, one of the bright spots for the month.

Carson City saw a 6.2 percent increase to $70.9 million for the month. Building material sales helped considerably with a 21 percent increase to $7.68 million while the capital’s largest sales generator, auto sales, rose 8.8 percent to $20.3 million.

With the legislature’s presession meetings under way, Eating and Drinking Places reported a 2.5 percent increase to $7.8 million.

Storey County, with major developments and commitments at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, reported increased taxable sales of $112.4 million compared to just $20.8 million in January 2016. Much of that construction is in the major developments by Tesla, Panasonic and Switch.

Beyond Storey, Mineral County was up 70 percent to $3.99 million. Specialty Trade Contractors reported a 450 percent gain to $210,327 and machinery Manufacturing went from nearly $700,000 in the red a year ago to $113,375 this January.

Eureka too posted a major increase, up 52 percent to $19.6 million. Much of the increase came in categories related to Eureka’s mining industry.

Douglas County had a 5.9 percent increase to $48.99 million despite an 8 percent drop in its largest taxable sales category, Food Services and Drinking Places — the Tahoe casinos. That category was $12.3 million for the month.

But auto sales helped out with a 13.6 percent increase to $2.68 million

Lyon County continued to struggle in January, reporting a 6.3 percent decrease in sales to just more than $24 million. The damage can be blamed on the Miscellaneous Store Retailers category that recorded a $2.6 million negative sales number. Unfortunately, statute prohibits Taxation officials from explaining that payback.

Clark County reported a 10.4 percent increase to $3.18 billion while Washoe County was up 5.5 percent for the month to $556.4 million. Altogether, 11 of Nevada’s 17 counties recorded increases in January.