Taxable sales in Nevada for January jumped 9.4 percent over the same month of 2004, continuing to outpace projections used to build this fiscal year's budget.
Surprisingly, however, that percentage is less than the average for this year - which is 14.7 percent above the previous year and double the increase projected by the Economic Forum.
Total taxable sales were nearly $3.2 billion with 12 of Nevada's 17 counties reporting an increase.
Douglas County was one of those, reporting $57.7 million in taxable sales - an 8 percent increase over January 2004.
But Carson City was up just 1.4 percent to $67 million in sales.
That is the same percentage increase reported in Washoe County where sales for January totaled $447.67 million.
Carson Finance Director Tom Minton said winter storms that dumped several feet of snow both in Carson City and Reno were probably to blame for flat sales numbers.
The biggest increase was reported by Lander County officials - a 375 percent increase from $3.1 million to $14.8 million. Officials credit the surging mining industry, which is reopening mines in Lander as well as other places around the state.
Lyon County, which continues to grow both in Fernley and the Dayton corridor, reported a 12 percent increase for the month to nearly $26 million.
Storey County sales fell for January by 27 percent. The total reported was just over $3 million.
The largest increases statewide were in the miscellaneous retail category where total sales rose 21.9 percent. General merchandise stores were up 10.3 percent.
Auto dealers and gasoline sales reported a 7.7 percent increase. Business services increased 21.2 percent statewide.
In addition to Storey, Eureka, Lincoln, Mineral and Pershing counties reported decreases for January. But only Pershing and Mineral are actually down for the first seven months of the fiscal year.
Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.
