Oklahoman The metro area is returning to work and economic activity, as reflected in sales tax revenue, is through the roof — indicators of a rebound after 14 months of COVID-19 precautions. The U.S. Labor Department says metro-area nonfarm employment increased 1.9%, to 634,100, from February to March. Unemployment fell to 4%. Oklahoma City sales tax revenue for the period from mid-March to mid-April set an all-time record as shoppers appeared to shake off the pandemic. Oklahoma City received $47.1 million from the Oklahoma Tax Commission last week, a 38% increase compared to the same time last year, when pandemic lockdowns were at their height. The previous record was $41.6 million in September 2019.