calculatorJamestown (CSi) Jamestown retail sales activity jumped by 19.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 when compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.

JSDC, CEO Connie Ova, points out that “The new stores and the quality of the existing businesses contribute to that.”

Jamestown saw an overall 2.2 percent increase in sales and use tax activity, which compares to a statewide decline of 25 percent. Of North Dakota’s 50 largest cities, Jamestown was one of just nine cities that saw an increase in sales and use tax collections.

Stutsman County sales and use tax collections for the quarter were up 2 percent for the fourth quarter. Stutsman County was one of six counties to see an increase.

Jamestown fourth-quarter sales and use tax increased from $65.3 million in 2014 to $66.7 million in 2015.

The increase was pushed by retail sales, which climbed from $34.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 to $41.4 million in 2015.

The annual sales and use tax figures for 2015 for Jamestown and Stutsman County showed about a half percent decline compared to 2014.