Brookhaven’s sales tax collections hovered just outside thestate’s Top 20 in May as the city continued a positive economictrend, according to statistics from the Mississippi TaxCommission.

With $337,804.99 in May, Brookhaven’s share of collectionsranked it 22nd overall in the state. Last month’s total representedan over $31,000 increase about May 2003 collections of$306,502.51.

“To be up 10 percent month-to-month and about 7 percent for theyear shows the economy is really rolling as far as sales tax isconcerned,” said Chandler Russ, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamberof Commerce executive vice-president.

In comparison of fiscal years, Brookhaven’s 2004 total was$3,729,610 and $3,501,739.06 last year.

“It’s attributable to many new retail establishments opening inthe last 12-18 months,” Russ said. “Also, existing retailbusinesses are providing quality products and services for theircustomers.”

Russ expected sales tax collections to stay strong for theforeseeable future. As summer begins, he encouraged local shoppersto continue to shop at home.

“Brookhaven provides ample shopping opportunities to service anyand all summer needs,” Russ said.

In other parts of southwest Mississippi, McComb collected$423,887.92 as its share of May sales tax.

McComb’s May 2004 total, which placed the city 15th in statewiderankings, represented an increase of about $87,000 over the May2003 total of $336,158.35. For the fiscal year, McComb had$4,298,653.12 in 2004 and $4,001,314.16 at the same point in2003.

In Lawrence County, Monticello merchants took in $33,942.03 forthe city’s share of May 2004 sales tax, which was up about $5,000from May 2003’s $28,320.21. The city remained ahead in fiscal yearto date collections with $367,577.35 in 2004 and $350,202.88 in2003.

Wesson businesses’ May sales tax collections were up to$10,324.18, which was almost double the 5,936.33 last May. Infiscal year to date collections, the town had $118,299.20 for 2004and $97,715.20 in 2003.

To the west in Franklin County, Bude businesses rang up$5,824.10 for the town, which was up from May 2003’s $4,142.17. Thetown stayed ahead of its fiscal year to date pace, with $84,864.90in 2004 and $79,507.81 last year.

Meadville merchants took in $7,794.25 in May 2004, which was upmore than $2,000 from May 2003 with $5,725.90. In total fiscal yearcollections, the town had $92,380.09 this year and $88,014.03 atthe same point last year.