It’s a good news, bad news sort of thing when it comes to spending these days in Southwest Louisiana. Taxable purchases were up in August compared to the previous month [that’s the good news], but down from the same period a year ago [bad], a new study indicates. Total taxable spending reached $324.3 million, about $2.4 million more than in July, but 5.2% less than in August 2008. Compared to the same period a year ago, cumulative total taxable spending from January through August was lagging by 4.7%. In the first eight months of 2009, taxable spending outpaced that in 2008 in only two of the 11 reported categories — food and utilities. Motor vehicle sales took the biggest dive, down 21.3%; followed by building materials, down 19.9%.
Spending is up in Southwest Louisiana — sort of
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