SOUTH CAROLINA SITE FIGHT: TRAFFIC STUDIED IN MYRTLE BEACH
Traffic by proposed Wal-Mart considered [Sun News (S.C.)]
CONWAY—A frontage road and traffic lights are in planning stages to help alleviate the potential traffic tangle that could emerge when shoppers begin flocking to the new Wal-Mart Supercenter on U.S. 501 at Myrtle Ridge Drive.
Chris Neeley, Wal-Mart spokesman for the Carolinas, said construction of the new store is on schedule and set to open mid-summer of next year.
“Wal-Mart has a proven history in working with the Department of Transportation and making sure that all citizens have access in and out of it,” Neeley said. “We want to make sure people have easy access, but I’m not aware of any special requests that are being made.”
The county is exploring the idea of a frontage road from the new Wal-Mart, which is going up on the southside of U.S. 501 between Myrtle Ridge Drive and Burning Ridge Drive.
Lisa Bourcier, spokeswoman for Horry County, said it is still uncertain where that frontage road will end.
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Posted by Luke West on Thursday, October 23 | 0 comments | Permalink
Get your Presidential ad fix from Wal-Mart
Since the issue of Wal-Mart has been surprisingly muted this campaign season (Wal-Mart Moms?), the retailer has decided to inject itself into the campaign ad fray. Both Obama and McCain have videos running on Wal-Mart’s corporate website. You can find them both here.
Here’s a little summary of the main points of each of the campaign messages you can find on walmartstores.com:
Obama:
Our economy is in crisis, we have two wars, and the American dream is slipping away (starting out on a positive note...nice)
We’re going to fix it by giving a $1,000 tax break to the middle class (YAY!!!! More money to spend at Wal-Mart!!!)
We’re going to allow workers to organize, for better wages, health care, benefits (Organize, YAY...wait, what?!)
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Posted by Corey Himrod on Wednesday, October 22 | 49 comments | Permalink
DELAWARE SITE FIGHT: NEW WAL-MART OK’D
Wal-Mart approved after long fight [Delaware Online]
The Kent County Levy Court commissioners have unanimously approved plans for a 225,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Super Center off U.S. 13 between Cheswold and Dover.
People living in the area have been trying to block the project since 2004. Resident Glenn Towery says the opponents were able to win a significant concession — the store will not be accessible from Simms Wood Road.
The store will be built on a 22-acre property on the east side of U.S. 13, south of Simms Wood Road.
Construction is scheduled to start in April, and the store is expected to open by early 2010,
The plan also features an adjacent 25,000-square-foot shopping center that would be built by Cheswold Village Properties.
In December 2004, Levy Court rezoned 33.5 acres owned by Cheswold Village Properties to accommodate the new Wal-Mart. But a Chancery Court judge, siding with residents who filed a suit, ruled that Levy Court erred by using a resolution rather than an ordinance to accomplish the rezoning.
In keeping with the court ruling, Levy Court rezoned the property by way of ordinance in May 2007. In February, Wal-Mart bought 22 acres from Cheswold Village Properties. But the site plan was tabled after a hearing in June by members of the Regional Planning Commission, who echoed the concerns of residents that the project would worsen existing flooding problems and perpetrate a “big-box” blight on the area.
After hearing revisions aimed at solving those problems, the commission approved a site plan for the development in a Sept. 11 vote.
Posted by Luke West on Wednesday, October 22 | 0 comments | Permalink
NORTH CAROLINA SITE FIGHT: WAL-MART PLANS GETTING PUSHBACK IN GREENVILLE
Second Wal-Mart in the works [Greenville Reflector (N.C.)]
A new retail center featuring a Wal-Mart Supercenter and multifamily development has been proposed for the northeast corner of the intersection of Port Terminal Road and 10th Street.
WRS Inc., based in Mount Pleasant, S.C., is seeking an amendment to the city of Greenville’s Future Land-Use Plan to develop Port Terminal Commons on 85 acres, part of which was the longtime home to Cliff’s Seafood. The proposed plan includes an upscale apartment community along with national, regional and local retailers.
If approved, it will bring a retail center in a high-growth area that includes new townhome and apartment complexes, Lowe’s Home Improvement, the East Carolina Bank and the Wound Healing Center. Select Bank & Trust’s second Greenville location and Pitt County’s fourth Sheetz” are under construction.
Jim Price, vice president of development for WRS, said Port Terminal Commons follows a “smart growth” strategy while alleviating traffic in other pockets in the city.
Also see: Walmart jumps first hoop [Greenville Reflector (N.C.)], Greenville, NC Wal-Mart Wants A Land Use Change For Second Superstore [Battle-Mart Blog] and New Wal-Mart for the east leaves some unhappy [WCNC-TV Video (N.C.)]
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Posted by Luke West on Wednesday, October 22 | 0 comments | Permalink
That’s taxalicious!
This comes courtesty of Writing on the Wal. We’ve issued reports on Wal-Mart’s use of various tax schemes, including captive REITs, 80/20 companies, and captive employee leasing companies. All of these strategies have been used in the name of avoiding paying state corporate income tax. Now, one website has gone ahead and documented some additional tax issues, these of the unpaid variety.
Below are examples of tax liens placed on Wal-Mart, ranging from $104 to, well, a whole lot more. Liens are granted after notices have been sent to a debtor but the owed taxes remain unpaid. Its nice to know that, in addition to not paying taxes, Wal-Mart forces states to spend MORE money just to collect these debts. YAY!
EXAMPLE ONE:
Debtor Information
Name: WAL MART STORES INC
Tax ID: 710415188
Address: 702 SW 8TH ST
BENTONVILLE, AR 72716-6209
BENTON COUNTY
Creditor Information
Name: SC DEPT OF REVENUE
Filing Information
Filing State: SOUTH CAROLINA
Original Filing Date: 1/17/2003
Amount: $2,463,114
Release Date: 1/28/2003
Filing 1
Filing Number: 50458809
Filing Court: GREENVILLE COUNTY RECORDER
Filing County: GREENVILLE
EXAMPLE TWO:
Debtor Information
Name: WAL MART STORES INCORPORATED
Tax ID: 710415188
Address: 702 SW 8TH ST
BENTONVILLE, AR 72716-6209
BENTON COUNTY
Creditor Information
Name: STATE OF INDIANA
Filing Information
Filing State: INDIANA
Original Filing Date: 4/15/2008
Amount: $1,600,933
Release Date: 6/13/2008
Filing 1
Filing Number: 06819151
Filing Type: STATE TAX WARRANT
Filing Court: MARION COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
Filing County: MARION
Read on for more!
Wal-Mart: Examine the history of the tax liens in the millions
Posted by Corey Himrod on Tuesday, October 21 | 0 comments | Permalink
Weekly Update for Elected Officials: Oct. 17, 2008
Check out this week’s issue of the Wal-Mart Watch Weekly Update for Elected Officials – a compilation of Wal-Mart news from across the country and beyond.
This week’s issue centers on a new website launched by Wal-Mart Watch which details the retailer’s political contributions, positions on specific legislation, and spending on lobbyists and industry trade groups. The website, Walton Influence, also includes similar information on the Walton family and the family’s related enterprises.
In addition, you’ll read about a number of legal issues, the most important of which could be affecting the health of millions of Americans. Bloomberg News and the San Francisco Chronicle, among others, are reporting on how tests of several of the best-selling brands of bottled water (including Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club private label brands) have been found to contain mixtures of at least 38 different pollutants, including bacteria, fertilizer, and industrial chemicals. These findings could result in a lawsuit against the retail giant.
And finally, check out our “Stateside” and “Wal-Mart International” sections to find out what’s going on with Wal-Mart around the country and across the globe. You’ll read about how Maryland’s closing of certain corporate tax loopholes has resulted in millions of dollars in increased state funds, and why employees in Illinois are protesting Wal-Mart’s electioneering activities.
Wal-Mart Watch Weekly Update for Elected Officials [October 16, 2008]
Posted by Corey Himrod on Friday, October 17 | 2 comments | Permalink
VIRGINIA SITE FIGHT: OUTRAGE OVER WAL-MART PLANS TO BUILD NEAR CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS
Suggesting a better spot for Wal-Mart [Orange Country (Va.)]
To the editor,
A few letters to the editor of the Freelance Star have stated that Wal-Mart is not needed in Orange County at the Route 3 and 20 intersection.
These articles stated increase of traffic at that intersection, increase air pollution, increase strain on police, fire and EMS, increase trash along roadsides, destruction of the rural views, and increase light pollution at night. I agree with these concerns. Green space is becoming scarce with all of the developments of shopping centers and community development in general.
As a volunteer at Ellwood, an 18th century plantation on the Wilderness Battlefield, I have seen and I feel the significance of these hallowed grounds. One can visualize the history that occurred here!We cannot destroy this most precious place with all its history. It was here that American blood was spilled at the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of The Wilderness in the Civil War. Building Wal-Mart at the intersection of Route 3 and 20 would destroy this historical site.
Has anyone checked the proposed area for Wal-Mart? Last known it is in a flood plane area; which was last flooded June 27, 1995. The people inside the 7-Eleven store were evacuated via rooftop door and taken away by the Lake of the Woods Fire and Rescue Tele-SQRT fire truck. In fact some of the firemen in an inflatable water rescue boat were almost swept away on Wilderness Run.
Although I do not frequent Wal-Mart, I think that it is needed in Orange County but not at the intersection of State Routes 3 and 20. A better location might be in Locust Grove at Routes 20 and 611. This location will draw Lake of the Woods, Fawn Lake, Wilderness Lake areas; as well as the town of Orange. The towns of Orange and Gordonsville are in need of Wal-Mart or other such stores that will ultimately increase the service quality of the other stores in the town of Orange.
Bruce Boyd
Locust Grove
Posted by Luke West on Friday, October 17 | 0 comments | Permalink
VIRGINIA SITE FIGHT: MORE OPPOSITION TO WAL-MART HANDOUTS IN APPMATTOX
What else will Town sacrifice to land Wal-Mart? [Altavista Journal (Va.)]
Thank you Rick Thomas. It is a relief to know that I am not the only voice of objection to the Wal-Mart deal.
I wonder what other incentives the town will offer?
I appreciate Mr. Baine’s objection, as he knows what affect a big box company has on small businesses in small towns.
Wal-Mart will undoubtedly add a coffee bar and as soon as Baine’s is put out of business, they will close the in-store coffee bar.
It has happened in too many localities.
The main objective of Wal-Mart is to be the only place to shop.
Posted by Luke West on Friday, October 17 | 0 comments | Permalink
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