Is #msflag flying over Ocean Springs city hall having a negative impact on sales tax? Mayor, Alderman say no, revenues up year over year

Ocean Springs merchants say state flag is bad for business

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) – Jan Rideout is determined to make sure Downtown Ocean Springs remains of the most popular shopping destinations in South Mississippi.

“I have a lot of local customers who have told me that they are starting to avoid shopping and eating in Ocean Springs, because of the flag going up,” said Rideout who owns JLaurie shoe boutique….

…Mayor Dobson says that’s not the case, sales tax and food and beverage tax were both up in the second half of last year.

Alderman Robert Blackman said food and beverage tax was up more than $44,000 and retail sales tax was up $13,350 compared to the last half of 2016.

WLOX
1/3/18