CARSON CITY (AP) - Sales in Nevada jumped 6.2 percent in July, with the gains fueled by strong performance in the vehicle, construction and manufacturing sectors, the Department of Taxation reported.
Taxable sales totaled $3.7 billion, allowing the state to collect $294 million in gross sales and use taxes. That tax revenue rose 5.8 percent compared with July 2012.
Still, the portion that goes to the state general fund - $74.5 million - lagged about $2 million below projections the independent Economic Forum made in May. Forum predictions are used to build the state budget.
In Clark County, the economic engine of the state, sales of $2.6 billion marked a 5 percent increase over July 2012. In Washoe County, sales totaling $528 million represented a 7.9 percent increase.
In all, 12 of Nevada's 17 counties saw greater sales activity in July, with the exceptions being Esmeralda, Eureka, Lander, Lincoln and Pershing.
Taxable sales in Pershing County were basically flat in July versus the same month in 2012. Merchants sold $8.39 million in goods in July, a small decrease from the $8.41 million in sales for July 2012.
Neighboring Humboldt County's taxable sales were up 46.3 percent in July over the same month in 2012. The county's merchants racked up $103.7 million in sales in July, a substantial gain over the $70.8 million posted in July of 2012.
The $100-plus million in sales in July in Humboldt County was not far behind booming Elko County, which recorded $130.5 million in taxable sales for July.
Several sectors saw big gains. Sales of vehicles and parts were up 20.7 percent, while specialty trade contractors saw a 41 percent boost. Machinery manufacturing rose nearly 40 percent, while electrical equipment, appliance and computer manufacturing shot up 488 percent.
Sales at electronics and appliance stores saw a 15.5 percent increase, while overall construction - an industry that was clobbered during the Great Recession - posted a 16 percent gain. Home furnishings rose 12.3 percent.
Other areas saw slim or modest gains. Sales by durable goods wholesalers were up 4.5 percent; general merchandise, up 0.7 percent; clothing and accessories, up 2 percent; and food and beverage stores, up 2.7 percent.
Excise taxes collected on tobacco, liquor and other purchases amounted to $25.1 million in July, an increase of 1.7 percent compared with the same month last year.
Compared with the Economic Forum's May forecast, taxes on cigarettes is up 2.2 percent or $147,000 during the first month of the fiscal year, while tax collections on other tobacco projects is 28.7 percent or $234,000 above projections.
Liquor taxes are 4.2 percent or $138,000 above projections, while the live entertainment tax has generated 17 percent or $165,000 more than anticipated for the month.
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