Press Release: Residents Support Wilderness Wal-Mart
2009-02-17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 17, 2009
Contact:Keith Morris
(479) 204-9038
Significant Majority of Orange Residents Support Wilderness Walmart
74 percent of residents say there aren’t enough shopping choices in the County
WILDERNESS, Va. – A public opinion survey released today by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., found that 61 percent of registered voters in Orange County support a new Walmart Supercenter at the proposed site on the North side of Route 3 near the intersection with Route 20. The survey also showed that 74% of residents do not believe there are enough shopping options currently in Orange County and that more options are needed.
“The survey results confirm that a significant majority of residents in Orange County support the project in its currently proposed location,” said Keith Morris, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “We have gone to great lengths to ensure that the proposed project fits in with the character of the community.”
In addition, the study found that only 36 percent of respondents felt that the Walmart site would have an adverse impact on the region’s historic Civil War battlefield. Additionally, by a 70%-19% margin, residents believe that the proposed store would not be visible from the Wilderness Battlefield and other businesses have been built even closer than the proposed store.
The survey was conducted in January 2009 by Voter Consumer Research for Wal-Mart and surveyed 300 registered voters in Orange County.
Wal-Mart is proposing a 143,000 square-foot Supercenter in the Wilderness area of Orange County. The land has been zoned for commercial use for 24 years and is designated for development in the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
The project has been estimated to increase tax revenue for the County by more than $500,000 and will generate approximately 300 new jobs.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $296 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $296 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
###
