Chart courtesy of Williston Economic Development This chart shows the net increase in taxable sales and purchases in Williston and other North Dakota cities in the first quarter 2010 over 2009. Williston, the ninth largest city in the state, passed Minot and Grand Forks to rank third in highest taxable purchases in the first quarter.
Williston's total taxable sales and purchases were approximately $215.9 million, a sharp increase over the $169.7 million recorded during the same period in 2009.
This is an increase of more than 27 percent.
Fargo ranked first in the state with $460.3 million and Bismarck was second with $276.9 million.
Of the $215.9 million, five percent goes to state sales tax and one percent goes to the city of Williston. One percent goes to paying off the Williston Middle School bond and a half-percent to pay off the Williams County Courthouse. Williston Economic Development Director Tom Rolfstad said with the increasing oil activity in the area the numbers weren't much of a surprise.
"A lot of it isn't just because we're selling more retail goods, but we're selling a lot more industrial products and goods as well," said Rolfstad.
Rolfstad said local businesses are noticing the impact of a higher population with retail sales. He said companies are also seeing a much higher demand for products and materials used in oilfield activities.
"I fully expected us to exceed Minot, but I didn't expect us to pass Grand Forks as well," said Rolfstad.
Rolfstad added that for being the ninth largest city in the state, they also had the largest increase in total dollars compared to 2009.
The increase over 2009 was approximately $46.8 million. Fargo saw an increase of approximately $29 million and Bismarck $17.7 million.
Rolfstad pointed out that Williston, a city of approximately 13,000-plus people, produced an increase equal to the two top cities.
The population of Fargo is nearly 100,000; Bismarck nearly 61,000.Rolfstad also said these numbers are from January through March, when the active rig count in the state had reached about 100.
The rig count as of Friday was 132, with 24 in Williams County.
"The quarter following this should see growth. How long it rises I don't know. We'll hit some kind of leveling off point eventually," said Rolfstad.
To view the first quarter taxable sales and purchases report, visit www.nd.gov/tax.
Comments
Williton wrote on Jul 23, 2010 5:42 AM:
ok wrote on Jul 21, 2010 2:26 PM:
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