[Vision2020] Wal-Mart Tables Montana Superstore

[Tom Hansen]

Deja vu all over again.

>From today's (March 16, 2008) Spokesman Review -

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Wal-Mart tables Montana superstore 
Company says existing stores will be expanded
Associated Press 
March 16, 2008

MISSOULA – Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, has decided 
not to build a Supercenter south of Hamilton, a company spokesman said.

Wal-Mart won a contentious battle several years ago for the right to build 
a 158,000-square-foot store, but the company announced earlier this month 
that its corporate strategy has switched from building new stores to 
expanding existing stores.

"For now, we're holding off on building any type of store," said spokesman 
Josh Phair. "This is a short-term step, and certainly longer term we will 
take advantage of any opportunities that arise."

In April 2006, the community passed an ordinance limiting the size of 
retail stores in Ravalli County to 60,000 square feet.

Wal-Mart mounted an effort to have that reversed. In the November 2006 
election, voters overturned the ordinance, 51 percent to 48 percent.

Many members of the community were concerned that the giant retailer would 
hurt local businesses.

"This is a reprieve," said Russell Lawrence, co-owner of the Chapter One 
Book Store in Hamilton. "But we still have to prove to the community that 
local, independently owned businesses still have value. It is meaningless 
unless we start a conversation on what we want the community to look like, 
economically as well as physically."

Dallas Erickson, chairman of Citizens for Economic Opportunity – which 
supported Wal-Mart on the grounds of free enterprise – said he'll be 
watching to see if county commissioners again try to limit the size of 
retail stores.

He said it's a shame Wal-Mart is "letting down the people who wanted it 
here. A lot of people have health problems and can't afford to drive to 
the Supercenter in Missoula."

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The sun will kiss the afternoon sky,
and the moon will kiss the stars so high.
The morning dew will kiss the grass,
but you, my friend, can kiss my a**."

- Author Unknown


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