WAL-MART SELECTS LEWISTON AS SITE FOR NEW FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul Badeau
Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council
784-0161
January 03, 2002
(LEWISTON, ME) — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has selected Lewiston, Maine, as the site for a new New England-wide distribution center.
The 485,000-square-foot facility, to be located on Alfred Plourde Parkway, one mile off of I-495, will begin constructionin Spring 2003 with planned service to stores throughout New England expected in Spring 2004.
Initial hiring of approximately 150 area residents is expected to begin in early 2003. Within three years, the total distribution workforce is expected to grow to approximately 400. More than 90 percent of the jobs created will be full-time positions. Full-time Wal-Mart associates are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health insurance, profit sharing, 401(k), paid vacations, stock purchase, scholarships, and store discounts.
“More and more customers are making Wal-Mart their destination for groceries. The Lewiston distribution center will play a significant role in helping Wal-Mart meet the growing needs of our customers across New England,” said Rollin Ford, senior vice president of logistics for Wal-Mart. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to enhance our presence in Maine — as a partner in both commerce and community.”
Governor King and many other state, regional, and local officials attended a press conference at Lewiston-Auburn College to announce the deal and welcome Wal-Mart to the state.
“Wal-Mart’s decision to locate a world-class New England-wide distribution facility in Maine speaks volumes about Maine’s business competitiveness,” said Governor Angus King. “I am proud to have this facility in Maine and I continue to be proud of Maine’s top-notch workforce which — both in terms of quality and quantity — has proven once again that we can compete for large-scale projects.”
This enormous facility will provide significant economic opportunities for the state and for the communities and residents of the Lewiston-Auburn area.
“I am extremely pleased that Wal-Mart selected Lewiston for this New England-wide distribution facility and I welcome them to our community,” said Kaileigh Tara, Mayor of Lewiston. “This is a great opportunity for the Lewiston-Auburn area. Not only does it mean hundreds of jobs with great benefits and a payroll exceeding $9 million per year but it also means nearly $500,000 per year in net new tax revenue for Lewiston.”
“Wal-Mart’s selection of Maine over other New England alternatives demonstrates that, given an opportunity to compete, Maine can win,” explained Joe Wischerath, executive vice president of Maine & Co., a private, non-profit group that promotes Maine as a business location. “Maine & Company’s marketing efforts have helped put Maine on the business attraction map and hopefully, over time, more companies will have an opportunity to test Maine’s competitiveness.”
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. currently operates 16 Discount Stores, 4 Supercenters, 3 SAM’S Clubs, and employs more than 6,000 associates in Maine. With annual sales of $191 billion, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. operates more than 2,600 discount stores, Supercenters, and Neighborhood Markets, and more than 480 SAM’S Clubs in the U.S. Internationally, the company operates more than 1,100 units. Wal-Mart employs more than 962,000 associates in the United States, and 282,000 in other countries.
In 2001, Wal-Mart associates raised and contributed more than $190 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations. Fortune magazine has named Wal-Mart the third “most admired” company in America and one of the 100 best companies to work for in America. Americans named Wal-Mart the company they think of first in supporting local causes and issues, according to Cone, Inc.
