November brought another reason to give thanks as Brookhaven’ssales tax collections continued to surpass monthly totals from2002, according state Tax Commission statistics.

Brookhaven’s share of sales tax last month was $328,487.67, anincrease of about $23,000 from a November 2002 total of$305,510.51. Based on the state’s reimbursement formula, that meansconsumers spent $1.9 million more in the city this November thanlast, said Chandler Russ, executive vice-president of the chamberof commerce.

“We’ve had several new retail places open to draw in people fromthe surrounding area,” Russ said.

In year-to-date collections since the start of the state fiscalyear July 1, Brookhaven has taken in $1,702,423.13 compared to$1,570,173.57 last year. Russ said the approximately $132,000increase represented about an 8 percent growth rate.

While Brookhaven’s sales tax totals were strong, collections inother communities were also good. The Homeseeker’s Paradise managedto place only 22nd in statewide community rankings. Russ pointedout, though, that Oxford and Starkville would likely slip some withthe end of the college football season.

“It’ll probably be the last month they get a bump,” Russsaid.

In mentioning new retail growth, Russ said other major factorsin Brookhaven’s healthy sales tax totals include the qualityservice that customers receive from merchants and consumerconfidence in an improving economy. Russ was unsure if an 8 percentgrowth rate would continue, but he was still optimistic about themonths ahead.

“I expect to see some modest growth throughout the rest of theyear,” Russ said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

In other parts of southwest Mississippi, McComb collected$347,706.61 as its share of November sales tax.

McComb’s November 2003 total, which placed the city 20th instatewide rankings, represented an increase of almost $10,000 fromthe November 2002 total of $337,955.90. For the fiscal year, McCombhad $1,851,330.93 in 2003 and $1,759,632.69 at the same point in2002.

Also in Pike County, Summit businesses gathered $18,075.64 inNovember sales tax, an increase from last November’s $14,125.97. Sofar in the fiscal year, the city had $94,818.98 this year comparedto $85,881.28 last year.

In Lawrence County, Monticello merchants took in $31,661.66 forthe city’s share of November 2003 sales tax, which was downslightly from November 2002’s $31,907.55. The city remained aheadin fiscal year to date collections with $169,166.10 in 2003 and$160,502.44 in 2002.

Wesson businesses’ November sales tax collections were up about$1,500 to $10,841.27, compared to $9,336.54 last November. In yearto date collections, the town had $54,153.89 for 2003 and$46,544.01 in 2002.

To the west in Franklin County, Bude businesses rang up$7,890.31 for the town, which was up some from November 2002’s$7,381.70. The town was just ahead of its year to date pace, with$39,750.94 in 2003 and $38,641.47 last year.

Meadville merchants took in $7,682.72 in November 2002, whichwas minor drop from November 2002 with $7,784.31. The town remainedahead of its 2002 pace with $42,929.76 this year and $39,597.04last year.