BISMARCK -- Tax Commissioner Cory Fong said taxable sales and purchases in North Dakota slowed during April, May and June.
Taxable sales and purchases fell 3.8 percent, or $118.9 million, from the second quarter of 2008, to just under $3 billion, he said.
Taxable sales in Grand Forks County amounted to $236,012,360, down 3.18 percent from the second quarter 2008. Taxable sales and purchases totaled $251,032,668, down just more than 3 percent.
In the city of Grand Forks, taxable sales for the second quarter of 2009 were $226,762,603, down 3.43 percent from 2008. Taxable sales and purchases were $241,469,411, down 3.21 percent.
Of North Dakota's 50 largest cities, Garrison was up 27.3 percent and Cavalier was up 25.7 percent. The biggest decrease was Grafton with 46 percent.
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Counties with high percentage increases included Traill at 27.9, Nelson at 26.2 and Benson at 21.5. High percentage decreases included Renville, 60.6 and Walsh, 33.3.
But Fong said 2008 was a record-setting year for taxable sales and purchases in the state. He said if this year's second-quarter figures are compared to a more typical year, such as 2007, consumer spending is on pace.
Fong also said that nearly every county in the state was dealing with flooding in the second quarter, with many businesses shut down and many consumers not spending at normal levels.
The complete report may be found at www.ndgov/tax .
