Sales jobs in Phoenix (Click here) will most likely benefit from the improving revenue picture in neighboring Mesa.
A recent analysis of data by The Arizona Republic found that Mesa saw a sizable increase in yearly sales tax revenue – about 6.2 percent – during January. Aside from May of last year, when revenue increased by .1 percent, this is the first time revenue has increased in more than three years.
However, the city still continues to suffer from lagging revenue, with current sales tax collections remaining about $5.7 million less than what was budgeted and overall revenue coming in millions of dollars lower than before the economic downturn.
Mesa brought in about $16.7 million in sales tax revenue during December 2006, and only about $10 million during January 2011. That large difference was caused by the recession, competing retail options in nearby cities, and increasing Internet sales.
Overall, retail sales increased by 1.2 percent between January 2010 and January 2011, supporting many jobs in Mesa. Two bright spots were spending in bars and restaurants, which increased by 14 percent, and sales tax revenue at new car dealers, which grew by 23.7 percent over the year.
The analysis also examined yearly sales tax revenue at various retail areas throughout Mesa, including:
- Falcon Field – 25 percent increase
- Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport – 17 percent increase
- Superstition Springs Center – 7.6 percent increase
- Dana Park – 4.4 percent increase
- Riverview – 2.4 percent decrease
- Downtown – 5.1 percent decrease
- Power-McKellips corridor – 5.7 percent decrease
- Fiesta Mall – 12.3 percent decrease
