In March, sales across the major industries were up in most areas of Cochise County. Countywide, restaurant and bar sales were up 3.1 percent in March, the second consecutive month of growth following two months of decline. Sales have been up in 10 of the most recent 17 months.

Countywide accommodation sales, which include hotel, motel, and other temporary lodging stays of less than 30 days, were up 6.5 percent in March compared to March 2009. This was also the second straight monthly increase following two months of decline.

Sales estimates are based on tax collections reported by the Arizona Department of Revenue. Countywide retail sales were not reported for March due to an error discovered by ADOR in its previous reporting of statewide retail sales, which incorrectly reported certain communications sales as retail.

At the city level, restaurant and bar receipts in Benson were down 15.1 percent in March. Despite the decline, restaurant and bar sales in Benson have seen positive growth in 14 of the past 19 months.

Benson’s accommodation receipts in March were up by 29.2 percent compared to March 2009. Sales have been up in 7 of the past 8 months.

Retail sales are not reported for Benson due to the city’s two-tiered tax system, which precludes accurately estimating sales based on tax collections. Retail sales tax revenue for sales occurring in March, however, was up 5.5 percent (unadjusted) when compared to March last year.

In Bisbee, retail sales were up 9.6 percent in March compared to March last year. The year-over-year increase was the first since December 2008. Sales have been down in 18 of the most recent 20 months.

Bisbee’s restaurant and bar sales were up 8.5 percent in March. Sales have alternated between positive and negative monthly growth for most of the past 2 years.

Bisbee’s accommodation receipts were up 9.8 percent in March, the first increase since July 2009. Sales have been down in 16 of the most recent 18 months.

Bisbee’s year-over-year increase in all three categories of sales in March is the first time that has occurred since May 2007, prior to the start of the national recession.

In Douglas, restaurant and bar sales were down 14.6 percent in March. Despite the decline, sales have been up in 7 of the most recent 9 months.

Retail sales are not reported for Douglas due to the city’s two-tiered tax system. Retail sales tax revenue, however, was up 2.9 percent (unadjusted) in March.

Accommodation sales are not reported for Douglas due to the small number of establishments and ADOR’s confidentiality policy.

In Huachuca City, retail sales were up 8.2 percent in March, the third consecutive month of growth after declining for 28 of 31 months. Accommodation and restaurant and bar sales are not reported for Huachuca City due to the small number of establishments and ADOR’s confidentiality policy.

In Sierra Vista, retail sales were up 3.4 percent in March. Sales have been up in 3 of the past 5 months.

Sierra Vista’s restaurant and bar sales were up 10.1 percent in March. The city’s restaurant and bar sales have been up in 9 of the past 11 months.

Sierra Vista’s accommodation sales were up 1.7 percent in March, the second month of growth after declining for 3 consecutive months.

Sierra Vista’s year-over-year increase in all three categories of sales is the first time since May 2009.

In Tombstone, retail sales were up 1.1 percent in March, the first increase since October last year. Sales have been down in 19 of the past 23 months.

Tombstone’s restaurant and bar sales were down 31.3 percent in March after increasing by 14.3 percent in February. Despite the decline, sales have been up in 4 of the past 6 months.

Accommodation receipts in Tombstone were up 6.4 percent in March, the first month of growth following 3 consecutive months of decline. Sales have been down in 4 of past 6 months.

In Willcox, restaurant and bar sales were up 7.4 percent in March. Sales have been up in 4 of the past 6 months.

Accommodation receipts in Willcox were down 27.9 percent in March. Sales have been down in 23 of the past 30 months.

Retail sales are not reported for Willcox due to the city’s two-tiered tax system. Unadjusted retail sales tax revenue, however, was up 8.5 percent in the first 3 months of 2010.

Robert Carreira, Ph.D. is director of the Center for Economic Research at Cochise College. If you have any questions on the economy, please contact the CER at (520) 515-5486 or by email at cer@cochise.edu. Check out the CER’s website at www.cochise.edu/cer.