The mantra “shop locally” must have hit home for residents of the City of Greenville.

Greenville showed an increase of almost $5,000 in local sales tax receipts during the month of December 2008 compared to the same month in 2007.

The city collected $585,400.24 in sales tax in December 2008. That’s an increase over December 2007 numbers, which were $580,615.69.

Mayor Dexter McLendon said the sales tax numbers are good news, especially with the economy currently struggling on a national and state level.

“It’s extremely good to hear this,” said McLendon. “While lots of cities are dealing with lower sales tax receipts, we were actually up in December so I think people got the message they needed to shop in Greenville.”

Sales tax make up a big bulk of the city’s operating budget.

The city budgeted $6.3 million in sales tax for fiscal year 2008-09.

First quarter numbers from the city clerk’s office indicate that Greenville is on track to make that goal.

City Clerk Sue Arnold said citizens of Greenville should be applauded shopping at home.

“We also need to thank the people from the surrounding areas who decided to come to Greenville and do their shopping this Christmas season,” she said.