Business Sales Reach Record High in Sallisaw

The economy may be slowly recovering in the rest of the U.S. but in Sallisaw business sales have reached a record high.

City Manager Clayton Lucas this week received word from the Oklahoma Tax Commission that the city received $5.48 million in returned sales tax receipts for fiscal year 2015, which is a new record. The city's 2015 fiscal year ran from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.

"That is more than in previous years," Lucas said Tuesday. "That is a record for us."

To  make good news even better, Lucas said the city sales tax returns are trending even higher for the 2016 fiscal year, which is from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. The city's sales tax returns for the first two months of the 2016 fiscal year-July and August-are higher than in past years.

Fiscal Year 2015

Sallisaw sales tax returns for fiscal year 2015 are, according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC), $5,479,703.

According to the OTC, Sallisaw's best previous year for sales tax returns was in 2009 when the city received $5,417,630. 

Lucas noted that 2007, 2008 and 2009 were good years for Sallisaw sales tax, with sales tax returns of $5,135,894 in 2007, $5,379,738 in 2008, and $5,417,630 in 2009. From there, the city's sales taxes gradually declined as the economy declined. It should be noted that the Blue Ribbon Downs racetrack, owned by the Choctaw Nation beginning in 2003, was closed at the end of 2009, and was purchased by the Cherokee Nation in December 2009. It has not operated as a racetrack since but as a training track.

Fiscal Year 2016

In Fiscal Year 2016 the trend is upward.

The projected return for Fiscal Year 2016 is $5,584,552, another new record if sales continue.

Lucas said he believes resident shoppers are the reason Sallisaw shopping is booming.

"Sallisaw residents realize the importance of shopping locally," Lucas said, "and they are investing in their community."

Lucas said there is good reason to invest in the community as two new businesses are expected to announce and begin construction by the end of the year in Sallisaw.

Judy Martens, executive director of the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, is also happy to see the increase in sales tax returns.

"It's very good news," Martens said. "It tells me that money is freeing up and people are having faith in the economy again. Our unemployment is at the lowest in quite a while, and that means people have got jobs. We hope that trend will continue as well."

Martens confirmed that at least two new businesses are in the works in Sallisaw. She noted that she and the chamber have been working on helping one of those businesses locate in Sallisaw since 2013.

"I began working with the site locator in 2013," Martens said. 

"It's been two years. It's been a long time coming for us," added Martens about how hard it is to entice new businesses to a town or city. The chamber is also on the upswing. Martens said the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce has added 10 new members this year.

"We are going to have a record year for memberships," she said.

Martens said small businesses are the backbone of the chamber and Sallisaw shopping. With the holiday season approaching, she encouraged shopping in Sallisaw. "Shop local. Shop at home," she encouraged.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com