Income from the state’s leisure and hospitality industry almost doubled in July over what was seen the previous year, according to a state report.
The state Economic Analysis Division’s monthly publication “Wyoming Insights” said sales tax income from the leisure and hospitality sector grew by $5 million in July, an 86.6% increase from July 2020.
The publication said the increase points to a continuing strong post-pandemic growth.
Total sales tax collections in July in the state grew by 13.7%, $8.5 million, in July compared to July 2020, the report said.
Increases in retail trade of $3.8 million and in financial activities of $1.1 million contributed to the total increase.
However, gains in those areas were offset by a reduction of almost $1.9 million in the transportation and utilities sector and $946,000 in the wholesale trade sector.
Strength in the state’s leisure and hospitality sector was also reflected in employment, with the industry providing 5,800 more jobs in June — the latest month for which numbers are available — than in June 2020, a 20.4% increase.
Professional and business services added 1,200 jobs in June compared to 2020 and state and local government added 1,100.
Mining employment was the same in June as in 2021, while the construction industry lost 1,400 jobs.
The report said most of the state’s counties saw gains in their sales tax collections in July from one year ago, led by Teton County, where tax income increased by almost 94%, $4.5 million, over 2020 figures.
Six counties posted declines in sales tax income, led by Natrona County, which saw its income go down by almost $1.5 million compared to 2020.
