Nye County taxable sales dropped in November for the first time in 14 months, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Nevada Department of Taxation.
But much of the 20.9 percent drop, from $63.5 million in taxable sales in November 2012 to $50.2 million in November 2013, can be attributed to the wrapping up of construction for the SolarReserve Crescent Dunes project near Tonopah.
Taxable sales for specialty trade contractors were $11.1 million in November, about half the $23.7 million in November 2012. That category resulted in double and triple digit percentage increases in county taxable sales during much of 2013.
Taxable sales paid by utilities plunged 90 percent, from $2.25 million to $224,617. Other major categories contributing to the declines included support activities for mining, which dropped 57.6 percent from $1.09 million to $462,000; chemical manufacturing dropped 15 percent from $3.5 million to $2.9 million and machinery manufacturing fell 19.5 percent from $1.6 million to $1.49 million.
Taxable sales for food services and drinking places declined 8.7 percent from $3.6 million to $3.35 million. Motor vehicle and parts dealers saw a 2.6 percent decrease in taxable sales, from $4.69 million to $4.57 million.