With a stronger October, Brookhaven made up a little ground inthe area of sales tax collections, according to statistics from theMississippi tax commission.

“We rebounded,” said Kenny Goza, 2004 Brookhaven-Lincoln CountyChamber of Commerce president.

With $345,635.35 for October, Brookhaven was up almost $17,000over the October 2003 total of $328,672.01. This year’s totalplaced the city 22nd among the state’s top collectors.

Goza cited several factors in the improving numbers. Hementioned a variety of Brookhaven specialty stores that attract outof town shoppers, the safety of shopping here as opposed to somelarger cities and strong automobiles sales as dealers promote thenew year’s cars and trucks.

“They all had some good months,” said Goza, citing someconversations with local automobile dealers.

For the fiscal year to date, however, Brookhaven remained alittle behind its 2003 pace. The city so far in 2004 has received$1,343,989.47 in sales tax, down about $30,000 from 2003’s$1,373,935.46.

Goza was optimistic that totals would continue to be strong therest of the year.

“We hope it increases in November and December,” he said. “Wewant to continue to encourage everyone to shop at home during theChristmas season.”

In other parts of the area, McComb collected $374,881.79 as itsshare of October sales tax. McComb’s October 2004 total, whichplaced the city 20th in statewide rankings, represented an increaseof approximately $58,600 from the October 2003 total of$316,247.04.

In year-to-date collection, McComb’s 2004 pace surged ahead ofits 2003 total. The margin was $1,524,280.30 this year and$1,503,624.32 last year.

In Lawrence County, Monticello’s October total was downslightly, with $33,327.90 this year compared to $35,617.87 lastyear. Year to date collections remained close, with $132,983.57 in2004 and $137,504.44 last year.

In Franklin County, Meadville merchants took in $8,791.32 forthe town’s share of October 2004 sales tax. That was up just alittle from last October’s $8,739.80.

In year to date totals, Meadville had taken in $33,482.24 in2004, down some from 2003’s $35,247.04.

Also in Franklin County, Bude businesses rang up $10,137.75 inOctober for the town, a healthy increase over October 2003’s$7,816.12. For the year to date, the town had $35,816.79 this yearand $31,860.63 at the same point in 2003.

Wesson businesses’ October sales tax collections slipped to$10,446.50, down a few dollars from the $10,589.88 received lastOctober. In year to date collections, the town had $44,398.18 for2004 and $43,312.62 for 2003.