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RSE Student Spending Increases Even In Dismal Third Quarter 2009 Yelm Retail Sales

Feb 23, 2010
Yelm Economy, Yelm and Thurston County Issues

Every year the taxable sales report for Thurston County during the Third Quarter usually drops. This time it dropped close to 9 percent, and lower numbers have continued to show up on reports for the last seven quarters in a row, according to state Department of Revenue data released Thursday, January 15, this year.

In the State of Washington, taxable retail sales fell 11.6 percent from the previous year. This is the third-largest decline on record so far. The City of Yelm fell 17.29 percent to $35.7 million from $43.2 million the previous year.

Notwithstanding, Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment’s (RSE) demographic reports show a contribution to the local economy during the last Third Quarter by RSE students of $642,250, which is 1.8% of Yelm’s $35.7 million total retail sales. Furthermore, RSE’s demographic reports for the entire 2009 show a significant increase in local spending by RSE students from the previous year, a new record of $2,709,613 reported by 6,767 students who participated in the demographic survey.

Quite impressive, being in a major recession as the data shows!

Students of Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment are proud to contribute to the local economy and private businesses of this community.

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  1. Nadja Galadram  •  May 22, 2010 @10:54 pm

    While coaching people to grow healthy soil and food gardens since 1989 to the present, my impression is that the local economy is also helped by many people who came here with their life’s savings to settle and study with RSE in earnest over the long haul. Some are current students, some have participated in the training in the past, but I wouldn’t be surprised if over 1000 households and many innovative businesses here, that are primarily here because the School has drawn them here, are not also making a substantial contribution to the local community every day, every year. I’m sure my customer lists are not up to date enough to really count the full number. However, commitment by present and former students, to evolve their lives here through many challenges adds to the economic stability of our locale. Also of note, whether as store owner in the early years or consultant now, among the gardening population which includes many folks who have never participated in the School but make choices to protect our environment, I have not received a bounced check in 22 years. That’s an invisible contribution to our community also, a thread of integrity, present here every day.