Taxable sales and purchases in Jamestown during the third quarter exceeded the statewide numbers for the same period, according to the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner.
Data for the third quarter, the months of July, August and September, was released this week.
The reports showed Jamestown had an overall 0.9% increase in the taxable sales and purchases compared to a 19.5% decline for the state of North Dakota.
For Jamestown, the increase was driven by a nearly $2 million increase in manufacturing sales and purchases. That amounted to a 72.4% jump in activity in that sector of the economy.
Connie Ova, CEO of Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp., said some of the manufacturing businesses actually found ways to expand during the coronavirus pandemic.
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"None of our manufacturers shut down for any length of time," she said. "All stayed busy and some saw an increase in business."
Emily Bivens, executive director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, said the manufacturing businesses kept people working while also assuring the workers stayed safe from the coronavirus pandemic.
Jamestown did lose ground in the retail trade, the largest segment of the economy in Jamestown and the state of North Dakota.
In Jamestown, the retail trade declined from $39.7 million to $38.9 million when compared to the third quarter of 2019 for a decline of 2.1% That does not include any internet sales from Jamestown.
Retail sales in North Dakota, including internet sales, climbed from $1.7 billion in the third quarter of 2019 to $1.9 billion in the third quarter of 2020 for a 7.8% increase. The sales and purchase numbers for the state of North Dakota do include internet sales.
"I feel Jamestown is very supportive of our business community," Bivens said. "There has been a lot of changes and the businesses have (been) rolling with the punches. The community has tried to do their best to stay supportive."
Jamestown also saw increases in the construction industry, wholesale trade and financial services. Decreases were reported in professional service, accommodations, food services and other services.
Statistically, 25 of the 50 largest cities in North Dakota saw increases in sales and purchases with 25 recording decreases.
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The biggest decreases in taxable sales and purchases included Tioga, Watford City and Williston, all reporting decreases in sales and purchases of more than 50%
Major cities include Fargo which reported a 4% decline, Grand Forks down 4.1%, Bismarck down 6.3% and Minot down 9.7%.
