For immediate release: Monday, August 19, 2002

For more information: Contact Scott Peterson, SD Department of Revenue, 605-773-3311

(PIERRE, SD) - Bigger crowds at the 2002 Black Hills Rally meant more sales tax revenue from vendor sales this year for state and local coffers, according to the SD Department of Revenue.

The Rally's official last day of business was Monday, August 12, although sales tax will continue to be collected for the next few months.  According to the latest figures available from the Department of Revenue, sales and tourism tax revenues from temporary vendors for this year's event were $910,918 in the Northern Hills (Sturgis, Meade and Lawrence Counties), up $82,792 from last year's Rally total of $828,126.

Of that amount, $522,473 was state sales tax, $258,589 was municipal sales tax, and $129,856 was state tourism tax revenue.  Official reports show fewer vendors this year: 1,010 vendors displayed and sold products at the 2002 Rally as compared to 1,127 in 2001 and 1,130 in 2000.  Gross vendor sales in the Northern Hills area for the 2002 Rally totaled $13,061,826, up $896,013 from last year's gross sales of $12,165,813.88.

While Rally vendor tax revenues increased 11% in the Northern Hills this year, the Southern Hills (including Rapid City, Custer, Hill City, Keystone and Pennington County) posted a gain of 30% with vendor sales tax revenues totaling $51,991.05 in that area.  Of that amount, $29,388 was state sales tax, $15,256 was municipal sales tax, and $7,347.05 was state tourism tax.  Gross vendor sales from the 2002 Black Hills Rally totaled $734,704 in the Southern Hills, up $153,936.17 from 2001 gross sales of $580,767.83.  The number of vendors in the Southern Hills was up slightly in 2002, with 129 vendors as compared to 125 last year.

Tax rates for the Rally vary depending on the type of merchandise sold and the location of the concessions.

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