The start of summer signaled another good month for Brookhavensales tax collections as the city climbed back into the state’s Top20 for June, according to Mississippi Tax Commission totals.

At $323,998.38, Brookhaven’s June collections were more than$6,000 ahead of June 2000’s $317,774.47. That represented about 2percent growth in monthly comparisons, said Chandler Russ,executive vice-president of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamberof Commerce.

“And we’re still at about 5 percent growth for the year, whichis well above the state and region,” Russ said.

For the year to date, the city’s 2001 total was $3,774,747.34.Through the same point in 2000, the city total was$3,639,617.51.

In state rankings, Brookhaven edged out Starkville by a mere $27for 19th place. Russ said June represented another month ofcontinued strong sales tax numbers for Brookhaven.

“While others have fluctuated, we’ve had steady increases,” Russsaid. “We haven’t had any heavy down months and have kept pluggingalong.”

Russ said new businesses, as well as efforts to provide qualityproducts and services, have kept Brookhaven in a good position.

“We’ll continue to grow as long as we have a good industrial,retail and service sector,” Russ said.

In other parts of southwest Mississippi, McComb collectionsclimbed to $353,391.64 in June sales tax. The June 2001 total,which placed the city 17th in the state, represented an increase ofabout $12,000 from the June 2000 total of $341,509.96.

In year-to-date totals, McComb had $4,181,643.12 in 2001 and$4,111,757.58 in 2000.

Also in Pike County, Summit businesses gathered $21,331.96 inJune sales tax, a slight decrease from last June’s $21,525.68. Forthe years-to-date, the town’s 2001 total was $225,718.95, about$12,000 below 2000’s $237,880.18.

In Lawrence County, Monticello merchants took in $33,322.27 forthe city’s share of June 2001 sales tax, a substantial increaseover June 2000’s $24,040.25. The city’s 2001 year-to-date totalcontinued to be a little off its 2000 pace: $370,258.38 this yearand $375,086.272 last year.

Wesson businesses’ June sales tax collections were down to$8,562.62, compared to $9,951.59 last June. Its year-to-date totalremained slightly behind its 2000 pace with $116,206.01 this yearand $118,432.81 last year.

To the west in Franklin County, Bude businesses rang up$7,817.64 for the town, a small decrease compared to June 2000’s$7,867.12. For 2001, its yearly total was $93,885.35 and $94,625.80in 2000.

Meadville merchants took in $7,585.80 in June 2001, a decreasefrom June 2000 with $9,546.22. Yearly totals show the town with$108,297.75 in 2001 collections and $101,418.33 in 2000collections.