COUNTY SALES TAX RECEIPTS AHEAD OF LAST YEAR

JACKSON - Sales tax receipts in Cape Girardeau County -- which increased by 7 percent last year -- continue to grow in 1994.

With two checks in so far this year, total receipts are running 12 percent more than they did the first two months of 1993.

For the year to date, Cape County has received $470,628, compared with $410,086 for the first two months of last year and $395,132 for the first two months of 1992.

Last year's growth for the entire year was 7.02 percent, which was one of the best growth rates the county has had in sales taxes for several years.

In February, Cape County's receipts totaled $165,533, which reflected a 34 percent increase over last February when sales taxes totaled $123,351. In February 1992, receipts were $134,229.

For January, the county's receipts were $305,095, a 6.5 percent hike over 1993 when $286,735 was taken in for the month.

County officials will be anxiously awaiting the March check, which could be an indicator of what kind of a growth year is ahead. Traditionally, the quarterly checks are higher than other months and often reflect growth trends.