Victoria Addison is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media sales tax revenue in both Columbia and Greene counties grew in 2016. According to a report from Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released Mon., Jan. 30, local sales tax collections grew statewide by 2.3 percent, or approximately $357 million, last year. In Columbia County sales tax revenue increased by 3.7 percent, totaling $37 million during that period. Greene County saw an increase of 1.5 percent, for a total of more than $30 million. Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murrell said of the income, "It’s more than what we projected, and more than the previous year." Murell attributed the increase to the opening of Love’s Travel Stop in Canaan, and tourism. In Greene County, the revenue reported was less than the county anticipated, County Administrator Shaun Groden said. "We were hoping for about $31 million. Sales tax is our single biggest revenue so it’s a very important part of our operations," Groden said. Groden suggested a decline in gas prices may have had an impact on the bottom line. He said the gas tax represents roughly 10 to 15 percent of the county's total tax receipts. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.