UPPER CUMBERLAND – The Upper Cumberland lagged the state in sales tax collections in April, the third consecutive month the region has failed to keep pace.
Putnam, Cumberland and Warren, the UC’s three largest collectors, reported increases of 4.6, 4.8 and 7.7 percent, respectively. Tennessee’s gain for the month was 8.5.
White and Macon were up 17.1 and 15.2. Several other smaller counties reported double-digit increases as well, including Pickett (20.9), Fentress (12.2) Cannon (10.3) and Clay (10.1). Rounding out the UC were Smith (9.2), Overton (6.9), DeKalb (6.4) and Jackson (1.8). There was an error in tabulating figures for Van Buren County; numbers were consequently excluded.
Overall, it’s been a slow 2016 in the UC thus far. The region fell behind the state by 2.1 percentage points in March and reported a decrease in its February sales tax collection report. It did see an 8.9 percent jump in January, which bettered Tennessee’s showing of 8.6.
Collections, which are considered just one measure of economic activity, are based on state sales taxes; local option taxes are excluded. Sales data lags by one month; for example, April numbers reflect March activity.
| Counties | April | Year prior | Percent change |
| Cannon | $387,544 | $351,402 | 10.3 |
| Clay | $244,028 | $221,564 | 10.1 |
| Cumberland | $4,259,232 | $4,064,393 | 4.8 |
| DeKalb | $964,598 | $906,636 | 6.4 |
| Fentress | $784,245 | $699,018 | 12.2 |
| Jackson | $161,915 | $159,065 | 1.8 |
| Macon | $1,120,588 | $972,478 | 15.2 |
| Overton | $934,049 | $874,115 | 6.9 |
| Pickett | $204,786 | $169,423 | 20.9 |
| Putnam | $8,631,373 | $8,249,085 | 4.6 |
| Smith | $930,113 | $851,622 | 9.2 |
| Van Buren | NA | NA | NA |
| Warren | $2,366,309 | $2,197,128 | 7.7 |
| White | $1,389,501 | $1,186,476 | 17.1 |
| UCDD | $22,378,281 | $21,009,198 | 6.5 |
| TN | $727,974,000 | $671,196,000 | 8.5 |
Source: Compiled by the Upper Cumberland Development District from data published by the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
