Williston and Williams County showed a steady growth in its taxable sales and purchases for the 2007 fiscal year, according to an annual report released by North Dakota Tax Commissioner Cory Fong.

Williams County's taxable sales for the year increased from $398,764,085 in 2006 to $504,284,708 in 2007. That marks a 26.46 increase.

The city of Williston was in the same range with a similar boost of 22.82 increase in its taxable sales and purchases. Dollar amounts jumped from $357,938,415 in 2006 to $439,619,535 for the city.

Burke County's taxable sales and purchases for the past year decreased 9.08 percent, Divide County's edged up 4.54 percent, McKenzie County's hiked 22.23 percent and Mountrail County increased 23 percent

"This is another upbeat economic report, confirming the strength and stability of North Dakota's economy," said Fong. "While many other states struggled, North Dakota's gained momentum." Other cities in our five-county region fared as follows: Alexander, 8.56 percent increase; Bowbells - 12.17 percent increase; Columbus - 13.11 percent increase; Crosby - 2.62 percent increase; Grenora - 4.23 percent decrease; Lignite - 31.9 percent decrease; New Town - 37.18 increase; Noonan - 31.77 percent increase; Powers Lake - 9.2 percent increase; Ray - 19.66 percent decrease; Stanley - 19.88 percent increase; Tioga - 68.01 percent increase; Watford City - 23.15 percent increase; Wildrose - 2.36 percent decrease.

Retail trade, the largest of the industry categories, showed the strongest overall growth in terms of dollars, increasing by more than $247 million from 2006 or 6.4 percent.

"As a rule, the retail sector serves as a barometer of the economy, offering insight to into the consumers' pocketbook," said Fong. "Based on the data provided in this report, the retail trade sector grew, indicating strong consumer confidence as our shoppers continued making purchases."

The overall growth of 10.3 percent was nearly three times the rate of inflation for 2007. The Consumer Price Index Measurement of inflation in 2007 was 2.8 percent.

Fourteen of 15 industries reported growth during 2007.

The largest growth was in the mining and oil sector, which grew by 94.5 percent in 2007, compared to 2006.

Other sectors reporting growth include: transportation and warehousing sector increased by 18.9 percent, the financial, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing sector grew by 17.3 percent; wholesale trade grew by 14.4 percent; construction grew by 12.4 percent; the information industries sector increased by 9.3 percent; manufacturing was up 8.3 percent; accommodation and food services grew by 7.8 percent; other services increased by 7.6 percent; education, health care and social services sector was up 6.7 percent; retail trade grew by 6.4 percent; arts and entertainment grew by 4.9 percent; miscellaneous was up by 3.5 percent; and the utilities sector grew by .7 a percent. Professional, scientific, technical and management services was the only one to show a decrease with a drop of 4.73 percent.

"North Dakota's agricultural producers have weathered some pretty stormy seas over the last few years," Fong said. "That changed in 2007 with favorable weather conditions in many areas, strong harvests and healthy cattle markets, all combining to offer our farmers and ranchers solid revenues."

The report includes statistics for the largest 200 cities, of which 146 cities reported increases and 4 reported decreases from 2006.

Included in the annual report are statistics for each of the state's 53 counties.

Dunn County led all of the counties with increases in 2007, with a 83 percent growth over 2006.

The counties showing the sharpest decline were Renville County with a 9.8 percent drop, Burke County, down 9.1 percent; McLean County, down by 4.5 percent; Wells County, down 4.4 percent and Sheridan County, down 2.7 percent.