Mediation: More Walmarts?

Mediation:More Walmarts?by Danielle Ferguson

The topicSioux Falls is South Dakotas largest city and already has two Walmarts.

Walmart wants to build two new Supercenters in Sioux Falls, totaling the number to four.

New Walmarts would be toward the North and South of Sioux Falls.

Photos courtesy of bing.com

Background infoSioux Falls was ranked #5 in Sperlings Best Places List praising the citys "diverse economy, small-town atmosphere & low cost of living.Downtown Sioux Falls is buzzing with unique specialized stores and eateries.

Photos courtesy of downtownsiouxfalls.com

Business OppositionSmall businesses are worried they will not be able to compete

In a study done by ISU professor Kenneth Stone:28% decrease in local apparel stores11% decrease in grocery store sales32% fall in drug store sales7,326 stores closed within 10 years of Walmart opening

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Studies based on towns with 5,000 or less people near Walmarts in Iowa; article from Executive Intelligence Review4Business oppositionWalmart claims to help local economy, when it actually ends up harming.Walmart gets major tax breaks that dont give back to community

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Local OppositionCommunity members highly oppose the additionsThey fear for too much of a traffic increase near the residential area and school zones-

Business SupportMayor Mike Huether says Walmart addition speaks volumes of Sioux Falls economic growth and stability.

500 jobs would be added: 250 at each store

Average wage for regular full-time hourly Walmart employees in South Dakota is $12.81 per hour, $5.56 higher than the federal minimum wage.

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7Local supportSenior citizens who dont want to travel through SF traffic

"I don't get into Sioux Falls like I used to because I don't like the traffic. And [an additional Walmart] will make it convenient because it's so close," Hartford resident Lois Kaiser told KELO-Land News.

MediationThe main problem seems to be with the location of the southern Walmart.

Since city officials and Walmart spokesmen insist an additional Walmart would be beneficial to Sioux Falls, allow the north site to be built.

Photos courtesy of bing.com

Works citedBartnick, Kelly, writ. "Council Approves Walmart Land Annexation." KELO-Land News: 02 Apr 2013. Radio. .

Bjelland, Sammi, writ. "Neighborhood Reaction to Walmart Moving In." KELO-Land News: 11 Mar 2013. Web. 20 Mar 2013. .

Bartnick, Kelly, writ. "Commission Ok's Walmart Zoning; Tables Development Plan." KELO-Land News: 03 Apr 2013. Web. 3 Apr 2013. .

Bjelland, Sammi, writ. "Rural Residents Ready for New Walmart." KELO-Land News: 12 Mar 2013. Web. 20 March 2013. .

Drucker, Jesse. "Wal-Mart Cuts Taxes By Paying Rent to Itself." Wal Street Journal Online 01 Feb 2007, Online n. pag. Web. 9 Apr. 2013. .

Freeman, Richard. "Wal-Mart Collapses U.S. Cities and Towns." Executive Intelligence Review. 21 Nov 2003: n. page. Print. .

Harriman, Peter. "Huether hears from residents about Walmart plans." Argus Leader [Sioux Falls, SD] 30 Mar 2013, n. pag. Web. 9 Apr. 2013. .

Works cited cont."Is Wal-Mart Destroying America? Facts About Wal-Mart That Will Absolutely Shock You." The Economic Collapse. WordPress; Atahualpa, 04 Jul 2012. Web. Web. 9 Apr. 2013. .

Jorgensen, Don, writ. "Walmart Annexation the First Step." KELO-Land News: 02 Apr 2013. Radio. .

Kennecke, Angela, writ. "Competing With the Big Box." KELO-Land News: 12 Mar 2013. Web. 20 March 2013. .

Schwan, Jodi, and Beth Wischmeyer. "Two Walmarts planned for edges of Sioux Falls." Argus Leader [Sioux Falls, SD] 12 Mar 2013, n. pag. Web. 9 Apr. 2013. .

United States, Maryland, Anne Arundel County. Citizens Information Center. Zoning Code. Annapolis, MD: , 2008. Web.