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Stats show more folks shopping locally

From Staff Reports

Published: October 11, 2009

Taxable retail sales in Marion increased during fiscal year 2008-2009 by 10.21 percent over the 2007-2008 fiscal year. During the same time period, taxable retail sales in McDowell County decreased by 2.75 percent and taxable retail sales in North Carolina decreased by 7.64 percent. These figures came from the N.C. Department of Revenue's monthly Sale and Use Tax Reports for both fiscal years.
In 2008-2009, the percentage of taxable retail sales in McDowell County taking place in the city of Marion was 76 percent, up from 67 percent in 2007-2008. The total of taxable retail sales in the city during 2008-2009 was $178,792,526.
Marion's increase in taxable retail sales was higher than many other cities and counties in the region, including Asheville, Black Mountain, Forest City, Lenoir, Morganton, Shelby, Lincolnton, Brevard, Buncombe County, Rutherford County and Burke County. Many of these communities had decreases in taxable retail sales between 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, including decreases of .88 percent in Morganton, 4.30 percent in Lenoir, 5.89 percent in Burke County, 6.98 percent in Asheville and 10.36 percent in Black Mountain.
Marion's taxable retail sales total in 2008-2009 was higher than that of Forest City and Brevard and only slightly below that of Lincolnton, a city with nearly 4,000 more people. Most notably, Marion's taxable retail sales were nearly three times higher than Black Mountain, a city of slightly larger population, which only had $65 million in taxable retail sales in 2008-2009.
Marion also had the second highest per capita taxable retail sales of the 11 other surveyed communities in 2008-2009, with taxable retail sales of $24,485 per person, second only to Asheville's $29,475 per person. In contrast, Morganton had per capita taxable retail sales of $17,760, Shelby had $17,504, Lenoir had $14,005 and Black Mountain had $8,234.
These figures show that Marion's economy is stronger than most people think, say local leaders.
"The increased retail sales in the city of Marion indicate that the city's retail and commercial sectors have remained stronger on a relative basis than what has been experienced in our region and statewide," said Mayor Everette Clark. "This demonstrates clearly that Marion is growing as a regional economic center."
Marion Business Association Executive Director Freddie Killough said, "The numbers reflect that efforts to promote local shopping are paying off."
She added local residents should consider local stores before going out of town for purchases.
"Local sales provide local jobs and provide the city and county with sales tax revenue that helps keep the property tax rate low," said Clark.
Marc Cook, president of the Marion Business Association, said, "When times get tough and money is tight, we become cautious with our money. Our best strategy is to stay close to home and buy from our neighbors whom we trust. These sales numbers show us that we stayed close to home when gas prices skyrocketed, and I think we should continue to shop at home while we fight through this recession."
"In spite of the loss of property tax and utility revenues due to business closings, most notably Swift Galey, retail sales are helping the city offset some of the loss," said Rod Birdsong, executive director of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce. "There may be several reasons why Marion's sales figures have increased this much, but I believe it's at least partly due to folks who've made efforts to give local businesses a chance before shopping outside of the county. I'm glad the city has compiled this information because it shows that our shopping habits can have a definite impact on the local economy."
This past year's increase in retail sales in Marion continues the positive trend experienced in past years. Taxable retail sales in Marion increased by 6.42 percent during the 2007-2008 fiscal year over the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The total taxable retail sales in the city of Marion were $162,235,579 in 2007-2008.
In 2006-2007, the state began reporting taxable retail sales separately for the city of Marion. The city's growth in retail sales from 2006-2007 to 2007-2008 was 5.1 times higher than that of North Carolina as a whole.
As already noted, the city's growth in retail sales from 2007-2008 to 2008-2009 of 10.21 percent was totally contrary to the sharp decrease of 7.64 percent in taxable retail sales experienced statewide over the same time period and decreases found in many surrounding communities.
"For those who think that Marion is a dying city that has no retail and is experiencing no growth, these retail sales figures reflect just the opposite," said Clark. "Despite the devastating industrial job losses we have experienced in recent years, our economy is growing and Marion remains a strong force in the western North Carolina economy."