Sturgis Pulls In Big Revenue From This Year’s Rally

STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — The amount of revenue Sturgis received from this year's motorcycle rally jumped 45 percent over last year, thanks in part to a crackdown on the collection of city sales tax.

The Rapid City Journal reports city sales tax revenue from the 75th anniversary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was up almost 65 percent from 2014. That contributed to an overall revenue increase of 45 percent, to more than $1.6 million.

The city this year tightened receipt rules for sales tax collections. Police in recent years also have been doing spot checks of merchants' books to ensure vendors are following the law.

Attendance at the landmark rally was up 17 percent. City Manager Daniel Ainslie says that helped boost revenue, but that the city also spent more due to the larger crowd.