Sales Tax Numbers In Meridian Show Signs Of Promising Economic Growth

Sales tax numbers from the Mississippi Department of Revenue show signs of growth in the city despite economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meridian’s records show that the gross sales tax is showing signs of recovery from its lows in the hardest hit months of the COVID-19 crisis, which are April through July. So far, records show the city has had consecutive months of increases in gross sales tax in month to month comparisons from its 2019 numbers.

The month of August, which reports taxes that were collected in July shows that the greatest growth percentage this year at 6.86% in comparison to the 2019 fiscal year, showing a great turnaround from the month of June this year, which showed a decrease of almost 18%. According to the city, this growth suggests a strong economic tax base.

“We are in extraordinary times right now, because of COVID, and most communities across the state are very much struggling as it related to their sales tax revenues. Fortunate enough, we have done a lot of things, here in the city, as we went through the whole process with COVID, to try to keep a balance between our public health and also our business health. Right now, we are hitting our numbers as it relates to our budget, even though this COVID epidemic,” said Percy Bland, Mayor of Meridian.

He also shares his concerns for small businesses in the community if the local economy was to experience another setback due to the pandemic.

“My concerns are that, you know, we don’t have to go backwards and when I say go backwards – meaning, go back to restrictions, because for most small business owners, you know, they already had one setback. You know, a lot of small businesses have had to go out of business, not here in Meridian, as much as so many other places, but it has affected a lot of small businesses. Most small businesses can not handle the impact of a second setback,” said Bland.

To further promote economic growth in the city of Meridian, the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation currently has an ongoing campaign known as the “Restart, Restore, Recover” campaign to help reopen the local economy.