Considering All sides

From the "The Impact of Big Box Retail Chains on Small Businesses" article at http://www.msubillings.edu/caer/bix%20box%20report.htm

1. A review of studies on the subject of the effects of "big box" retail chains such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target on small businesses in rural communities found that there is a strong impact on employment rates, sales and the environment of small towns. "Main Street America" and "Mom and Pop" stores are slowly becoming a thing of the past

2. "Studies in Iowa have shown that small towns lose up to 47 percent of their retail trade after 10 years of Wal-Mart towns nearby".

3. "’Partnering’ developed between the mega-retail discount chains and the manufacturers allowing these chains to buy ‘direct’. In many cases they eliminated the regional wholesaler who had traditionally served the small downtown retailer as well. The new position of the powerful mega-retail chains, discounters or otherwise, was not to augment but to compete." Obviously, this puts the smaller retailers at a disadvantage, especially as these wholesalers lose more and more business.

4. The surrounding towns that did not have such a chain were immediately affected. In fact, their sales dropped by two percent the first year and continued to drop at a rate of thirty-four percent after ten years.

5. When stores such as Wal-Mart or Target propose building in these areas the initial reaction of local authorities is positive citing an increased tax base and more options for the community. However, over the years the result is often a lower tax base as the smaller businesses close.

6. Another issue that impacts small communities with the opening of these retail stores is traffic congestion. A report by the Billings, Montana traffic engineer quoted in the November 17th Billings Gazette article, says that the proposed Wal-Mart super-center in the Billings Heights will add 5,118 new cars to main street per day, which now carries 25,000 vehicles each day and increase traffic congestion by one-fifth

7. Another problem is the decline of "main street America". Ellen Dunham-Jones states, "Wal-Mart’s merchandise has not only homogenized consumption patterns throughout the country, it is homogenizing our experience of landscape." In other words, the introduction of these discount retail chains has altered the landscape of America. Edward B. Stiles states, "Traffic density in older malls began to die as shoppers go to the newer and larger mega-retail discount stores whether it be Target, Kmart or Wal-Mart. Within a year every second and third retail store is closed. These stores take on a ghettoized boarded-up appearance. Graffiti, iron grills, unsightly signs that appear and what five to ten years earlier was a handsome mall in harmony with the countryside, now resembles an urban ghetto. The National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. describes these developments as ‘Urban Sprawl.’ But, what was witnessed was not ‘urban sprawl’, but ‘suburban’ as well as ‘rural sprawl.’"

8. Another factor that contributes to the impact of these stores on small business and communities is their fast growing expansion and cooperate decisions to close certain stores. These losses greatly affect these areas. According to Edward B. Shils, hundreds of thousands of dollars are lost in infrastructure development, land development and foregone taxes. These losses sometimes reach into the millions.

9. In conclusion, the impact of "big box" retail chains on small businesses in rural communities is great.

From the commentary entitled "Wal-Mart against the wall?" located at:
http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20060826-101823-1418r.htm

1. A democratic presidential candidate on the campaign trail attacking corporations is nothing new. Oil companies, drug manufacturers, and the tobacco industry have all found themselves on the receiving end of election-year criticism from Democratic politicians. Democratic presidential contenders reportedly are at it again. This time, Exxon and Pfizer's public relations departments can rest easier because there is a fresh corporate punching bag: Wal-Mart.

This article is entrenched so deeply in partisan rhetoric it is worthless and not relevant to Blacksburg. But the Washington Times is well known for that. Additionally it's Authors Richard Vedder is a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (The source of another web page you cited) . Along with Wendell Cox, he is the author of the forthcoming book, "The Wal-Mart Revolution: How Big Box Stores Benefit Consumers, Workers, and the Economy" (AEI Press, 2006). Bryan O'Keefe was a researcher for the book

1. The new Wal-Mart in Landover Hills doesn't sell alcohol or guns. It does have skylights to cut down on energy use. It does not operate 24 hours. Such concessions were unheard of at Wal-Mart's cookie-cutter stores several years ago. But they are just a few of the compromises the world's largest retailer reached with Prince George's County residents and community leaders concerned about the store's impact on the neighborhood. It's a new way of doing business for the company, whose hopes for domestic growth lie in conquering urban areas such as Landover Hills, where it has faced strong opposition from labor unions and small businesses. The store symbolizes how far Wal-Mart was willing to go to gain a foothold inside the Beltway.

Who wants to be conquered or allow this type of foothold?

2. But Jim Biedlingmaier, owner of Bill's Hardware, said he had resigned himself to losing customers to Wal-Mart. It happened after Lowe's came to town and after Home Depot opened. Wal-Mart is just the latest big box to invade the area, and Biedlingmaier said he was ready

3. Ortiz, the Edmonston mayor, said other residents and businesses were waiting to see whether Wal-Mart kept its promises

4. Mom-and-pop stores worry that they will be unable to compete with Wal-Mart's cutthroat prices. Labor organizations fear the non-unionized retailer would depress wages and benefits in the region.

5. The Wal-Mart name was the most recognized among a list of 15 major companies in a 2005 survey by the Pew Research Center. Ninety-one percent of people responding to the survey said they lived within shopping distance of a Wal-Mart

I already feel as though I live within shopping distance, How close do we need another one I'm not going to shop at?

6. "Wal-Mart was coming to our area, like it or not," Ortiz said. "Our goal was to engage them to bring the best possible Wal-Mart."

Interesting we both quoted this comment, It makes me think that Blacksburg, with the passage of Ordinance 1450, has the option not to be put in this situation and should never be forced to operate from a "like it or not" position.

The article at:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060604/ai_n16455413

Which you posted nearly in it's entirety raises the questions that are part of the core argument behind empowering the residents of Blacksburg with Ordinance 1450. The Author begins his argument with the supposition that "The hatred all seems to revolve around the same argument - that Wal-Mart "is the worst thing that could happen to our community. They want to crush the competition." While this is an adequate opening statement it is a vast over simplification. Wal-Mart (and other big box stores) have provided a plethora of reasons that they are despised.

1. Failing to meet environment guidelines for the storage of chemicals sold at the stores (The Blacksburg proposed site is on 1 of 3 wetlands in Blacksburg)

2. Locking in undocumented workers overnight to clean the stores

3. Using Social services in the communities where they are allowed to build as alternatives to providing affordable health care

4. leaving empty buildings behind - Wal-Mart listed 333 empty buildings as of February, 1999 Christiansburg had 1 for about 2 years after they moved last time it is still only partially occupied

5. Abusive conditions in their overseas sweat shops

6. Traffic and sprawl.

7. Anti-competitive practices - including lowering prices until the competition has folded - and then back up.

8. illegal corperate eavesdropping and spying on those that oppose their positions.

I'll go on if you request, but Snob, or oppressive to the underprivileged, No. Not when there is a Wal-Mart 10 minutes away by public transit.

"Let Truth and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?" John Milton

“In battling evil, excess is good; for he who is moderate in announcing the truth is presenting half-truth. He conceals the other half out of fear of the people's wrath.” Kahlil Gibran