Most cities in Cherokee County enjoy retail growth; Jacksonville suffers another slump

graphic: Cherokeean Herald

Lackluster sales in Jacksonville continue to dominate the business climate in Cherokee County.

Retail sales fell almost 18 percent in June, compared to the same period a year. In the year-to-September 5 column for the first six months of 2007, Jacksonville's sales are down almost seven percent.

Other cities in Cherokee County, with the exception of New Summerfield, are posting gains on retail sales and sales tax collections.

Cuney leads the county with a year-to-September 5 increase of 22.91 percent, followed by Wells with 17.49 percent increase.

Rusk came in third with an increase of 10.02 percent, followed by Alto, 8.51 percent.

New Summerfield's yearto September 5 sales are down 2.50 percent over the previous year.

State Comptroller Susan Combs recently distributed $534 million in local sales tax revenue.

"Growth in sales tax collections eased in July, but moved ahead at a steady pace," Combs said. "In particular, receipts from the mining, construction, manufacturing, and service sectors reflect a Texas economy resisting the cooling seen in the national economy."

The county sales tax grew 2.78 percent.

These sales tax figures represent purchases made during June and remitted to the comptroller's office in July.

Comptroller of Public Accounts