KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Merchants in the city of Kodiak enjoyed the second annual tax free day on Saturday. The day-long event was promoted by the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce and authorized last year by the Kodiak City Council. Patterned after a similar event in Southeast, Tax Free Day suspends the city’s six-percent sales tax on the first Saturday of March each year.
The chamber’s economic development specialist, Trevor Brown, said businesses experienced mixed results, but he found most of them thought it was positive.
— (Tax Free 1 29 sec "Just talking with some … better sales than last year, so.")
Mack’s Sport Shop was one of those businesses that had a better day than last year, according to Jesse Glamann the store manager.
— (Tax Free 2 28 sec "It was quite a bit … to beating it next year.")
Brown said the chamber of commerce encouraged merchants to advertise and perhaps offer sales on tax free day, which Glamann agreed was helpful:
— (Tax Free 3 26 sec "The city kicked in the … word out there always helps.")
Glamann also said the weather was just right – not stormy like recent days, but not so nice that residents were drawn to other activities. He said he’d like to see the city continue Tax Free Day in the future:
— (Tax Free 4 20 sec "Great event. I hope … continue to do this.")
Brown will sending a survey to merchants in the city to gauge their success on Tax Free Day, and will be giving a report to the Kodiak City Council at a later date.
