Sales taxes collections in Durango and downtown have been erratic in 2017. Collections increased 2 percent through September, but collections have not posted steady growth this year, Business Improvement District Executive Director Tim Walsworth said.
September’s sales tax collections growth was the highest so far this year, increasing 6 percent compared with September 2016. Downtown businesses saw 7.3 percent growth in sales tax collection in September compared with last year.
“Downtown was leading the way,” he said.
The September growth might be driven by Baby Boomers, who are now traveling in the fall more than ever, Walsworth said.
In February and May, sales tax collections declined in the Central Business District compared with the same months last year, he said.
“It’s just been a bit of a roller-coaster,” he said.
Seven of the 17 sectors of businesses in downtown have seen declines so far this year including miscellaneous retail and gift shops and galleries.
Those two categories represent about 100 businesses downtown, including some that would not intuitively fit those categories, such as candy shops, hair salons and auto parts stores, Walsworth said.
He described the declines in those two categories as “concerning.”
“We have really started to bang the shop-local drum,” he said.
