Region outgains state for first time since September
UPPER CUMBERLAND – After a somewhat lackluster holiday shopping season, the Upper Cumberland showed signs of strength in March in terms of state sales tax collections.
Nine counties in the region outpaced Tennessee’s growth year-to-year, including Fentress (14.8), Pickett (14.1), DeKalb (11.9), White (10.4), Macon (10.1) Jackson (8.9), Cannon (8.6), Overton (6.9) and Putnam (6.5). Those numbers helped push the Upper Cumberland to a 5.9 percentage point gain, while the state, as a comparison, saw a smaller increase of 5.5 percent. The UC hasn’t outpaced the state since September.
“I was pleased to see we exceeded the state average – it’s been awhile since we’ve been doing that on any regular basis,” said Henry Bowman, an analyst with the Upper Cumberland Development District, which compiles the local numbers. “White County turned in a good number (10.4); they’ve been lagging. Putnam also had a good solid number (6.5), which was better than the state average.
“I sense that things are picking up,” Bowman added. “That’s anecdotal (at best), but the restaurants around here are packed these days and traffic on the roads is very heavy – I see all that as a good sign.”
Other counties seeing gains in March were Smith (5.1) and Cumberland (4.7). Three saw decreases, including Warren (-1.8), Clay (-14.3) and Van Buren (-19.4).
Quarterly, the region’s numbers aren’t as strong. The UC is up only 3.3 percent, while Tennessee’s percentage gain stands at 4.0. Annual numbers show a similar spread. The region is up 2.4 percentage points, while the state has improved 3.0.
Collections, which are considered just one measure of economic activity, are based on state sales taxes; local option taxes are excluded. Sales data lags by one month; for example, March numbers reflect February activity.
“This February was also bad weather-wise – one of the worst we’ve seen in awhile – so I take that as very positive (sign), too,” Bowman said.
|
Counties |
March |
Year prior |
Percent change |
|
Cannon |
$266,706 |
$245,573 |
8.6 |
|
Clay |
$145,768 |
$170,013 |
-14.3 |
|
Cumberland |
$3,272,841 |
$3,124,598 |
4.7 |
|
DeKalb |
$837,649 |
$748,289 |
11.9 |
|
Fentress |
$676,166 |
$588,850 |
14.8 |
|
Jackson |
$155,683 |
$142,961 |
8.9 |
|
Macon |
$914,054 |
$830,122 |
10.1 |
|
Overton |
$708,930 |
$663,125 |
6.9 |
|
Pickett |
$121,788 |
$106,741 |
14.1 |
|
Putnam |
$7,016,420 |
$6,586,861 |
6.5 |
|
Smith |
$741,273 |
$705,121 |
5.1 |
|
Van Buren |
$51,161 |
$63,500 |
-19.4 |
|
Warren |
$1,872,302 |
$1,906,482 |
-1.8 |
|
White |
$1,049,047 |
$949,835 |
10.4 |
|
UCDD |
$17,829,788 |
$16,832,071 |
5.9 |
|
TN |
$568,199,000 |
$538,532,000 |
5.5 |
Source: Compiled by the Upper Cumberland Development District from data published by the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
