The state Tax Department says North Dakota's taxable sales and purchases grew by 10.3 percent last year, topping the $10 billion mark.

Tax Commissioner Corey Fong says it confirms North Dakota's economic strength.

The Tax Department report says retail trade showed the strongest overall growth among state industry sectors in terms of dollars, indicating strong consumer confidence. Taxable sales and purchases in that sector increased by more than $247 million from 2006.

Fourteen of 15 state industries reported growth last year, led by the mining and oil sector, which grew by 94.5 percent compared to 2006, the Tax Department report said. Even farmers, who have struggled in previous years, had strong harvests and healthy markets in 2007, Fong said.

The report includes figures for the largest 200 cities in the state. It said 146 cities reported increases and 54 reported decreases from 2006.

North Dakota's four largest cities - Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot - reported growth ranging from 5.1 percent in Fargo to 10.15 percent in Minot, and increased taxable sales and purchases by $311 million over 2006, Fong said.

- Associated Press