The Truth about The Local Economy

It has been alleged that the local economy in Dickinson is in crisis and that local sales have declined by as much as 40%. This is false. Here are the facts:

• Sales taxes declined in the last year principally in one specific area, home building material distributors. These businesses distribute materials around the state and the nation. Dickinson has an unusually large number of these companies here for their size as it has set up special sales tax incentives with them. Owing to increasing interest rates across the country, home building has slowed, and this has led to a decline in sales.
• However, main street businesses are trending upwards with the majority of businesses showing sales tax increases.
• In fact, local sales tax revenue showed increases over the last several years until a downturn in the home building sector. 
• The mayor recently addressed these issues in public remarks.