Starkville collected over $211,161 in 2 percent food and beverage taxes in April, the first time the city surpassed the $200,000 mark for the tax. Starkville's restaurants and retailers enjoyed a host of spring events to boost sales.
April's figures broke the previous record set in November 2014 of $180,674 by just over $30,000. Compared to April 2015, collections spiked 26 percent. In 2016, Starkville collected $703,000 in food and beverage taxes during the first four months of 2016.
April saw large crowd-drawing events to the area, like the Cotton District Arts Festival, Starkville Restaurant Week, Super Bulldog Weekend and multiple MSU athletic events. MSU baseball and softball drew nearly 90,000 fans over 18 games, athletic department data showed. Over SBW, almost 16,000 fans showed up for MSU's spring football scrimmage.
For more information, see the June 17 issue.