Retail sales continue at torrid pace for Jasper

Jasper continued its torrid pace of retail sales gains in reported sales tax rebates to cities released by the office of Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn Friday.

The city, long established as a retail trade center for a four-county area, enjoyed a robust 33.87 percent gain in its November 2006 rebate check from the state compared to the same period as last year.

While the figure would be naturally expected to be higher than last year, it is merely another link in a chain of expanding retail sales in since Hurricane Rita in the fall of 2005.

November's rebate check to the city was for $331,272.52 compared to

$247,445.08 for the same 2005 period. The tax rebate is based on retail sales in September (Rita hit on Sept. 24, 2005), reported in October and paid to cities and other taxing entities in November.

Essentially, Jasper retailers were shut down in the final week of September 2005 plus at least two weeks of October. However, the healthy increases since that time have averaged 24.14 percent for the city. That cycle has been driven by a rebuilding and repairs to Rita-damaged property but are also part of a statewide increase of 12.2 percent in rebates to cities.

Jasper's year-to-date rebates are at $3,767,134.60 compared to $3,034,345.21.

Only one month in the past 12 has been a single digit increase and that was just below 10 percent.

In the county, Kirbyville had an exceptional 51.10 percent jump in its November rebate check from a 2005 figure of $17,185.89 to $25,969.48 for this year. For the year, that city is ahead by 18.80 percent, $251,987.20 against $212,096.76. These gains have come despite Kirbyville losing one of its two supermarkets to Rita.

In the four counties that comprise the Jasper Retail Trade Area, all showed healthy increases in the November rebate.

Newton continues to stay over 30 percent ahead for the

year and had a significant 36.13 percent leap in November 2006. That city is ahead 32.03 percent.

Despite Hemphill's drop of 2.96 percent in its November rebate check, that city and Sabine County remain solidly ahead for the year. County seat Hemphill is up 27.61 percent year-todate and the county 24.81 percent. Pineland's November rebate jumped 35.05 percent (keeping Sabine County up for the month) and that city is up 16.24 percent for the year.

In Tyler County, fueled by Woodville's huge 44.40 percent rise, the November increase is 44.02 percent and year-to-date, 23.39 percent. Ten of the 12 counties,

including the Jasper Retail Trade Area, that comprise the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) show significant gains for November 2006 with all being up for the year-todate.

Additional counties, their principal city and each's percent gain/loss for November and year-to-date are:

 Angelina, +13.90 and +14.26; Lufkin, + 14.67 and +14.09.

 Houston, +15.23 and +11.73; Crockett, +7.45 and +8.85.

 Nacogdoches, + 27.24 and +13.16; Nacogdoches +26.35 and +12.96.

 Polk, +21.25 and +15.09; Livingston, +23.95 and +16.70.

 San Augustine, -3.65 and +20.78; San Augustine, - 4.04 and +20.79.

 San Jacinto, +12.04 and +2.75; Shepherd, +13.58 and +0.64.

 Shelby, +15.58 and +12.08; Center, +18.51 and +12.43.

 Trinity, -3.75 and +5.92; Trinity, -6.61 and +6,26,

In neighboring counties with retail activity akin to the Jasper Retail Trade Area:

 Hardin, +52.34 and +26.84; Silsbee, +49.24 and +24.81.

 Jefferson, +39.29 and +32.28; Beaumont, +34.62 and +32.60.

 Orange, +41.5 and +32.99; Orange,+34.91 and +38.28.