| Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, proposed in 2005 building a 1.1 million square foot distribution center on 230 acres in southeast Merced. It'd be the company's third center in the state, with others in Porterville and Apple Valley. The warehouse will create 600 full-time jobs the first day it opens and add 300 later.
One group, the Stop Wal-Mart Action Team, formed to fight the project because of the damage it could do to the area. They cite traffic and air quality impacts as being far more important that the jobs created. One the other side stands the chambers of commerce, as well as the Merced County Jobs Coalition, a group of business leaders who are supporting the project because it'd take a large chunk out of the county's growing unemployment rate, about 15 percent in January. The environmental impact report (Link) -- a legally required look at what will happen if the project's built -- was released at the end of February. Public comments on it must be sent to the city by April 27. After all the input's received, the outside firm writes a final report, which is approved or denied when the project goes before the City Council. A date for the vote has not been set. |
A handful of residents are pushing Merced government leaders to expand the comment period about the Wal-Mart distribution center.
