– ND taxable & purchases off 25 percent

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A key barometer of North Dakota economic activity has taken a nosedive because of the slump in the oil and agricultural industries. Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger (RAW’-shun-bur-gur) reported Wednesday that taxable sales and purchases were $5.7 billion for July, August and September. That’s a drop of nearly 25 percent compared to the third quarter of 2014 and the lowest since 2011.

Stutsman County and Jamestown saw an increase in taxable sales and purchases during the third quarter of 2015.

Figures rose from $65.4 million in 2014 to $69.2 million in 2015 for a 5.8 percent increase.

Jamestown sales and purchases rose 1.8 percent compared to a 20 percent decline in sales for North Dakota’s 50 largest cities. Of the 50 largest cities in North Dakota, only five saw an increase in sales in the third quarter of 2015 when compared to 2014.

Stutsman County sales and purchases increased 4.9 percent, rising from $68.3 million in 2014 to $71.6 million in 2015.