WalMart impact on a small Colorado town
I used to live in LaJunta, Colorado. There was a small WalMart west of town. The decision was made to allow a Super WalMart to be built with candy laced promises that it would be good for the economy. Within 6 months a five and dime closed on main street. A McClains combined grocery and department store closed in LaJunta, a RockyFord grocery store closed. Other local businesses closed in the wake. Clearly the promise of net jobs was an optimistic lie spoon fed to city council and county comissioners. AND now, local residents drive by ugly unused grocery stores and empty storefronts making any prospective incoming business think twice. WalMart also received favortism in tax structure benefits. So the net loss was small businesses and employees losing their jobs, these same employees working for LOWER wages at the new WalMart, less tax revenue for the county, empty storefronts, promises of job growth really came from employees at the smaller WalMart moving to the Super WalMart.
A study could be done by the local community college on the cost benefit ratio of this supposed improvement to the community.
In larger cities when WalMart moves in the changes are less noticable. All one needs to do is drive to LaJunta to understand and witness the negatives. Arguments are convieniently made about the benefits ignoring the obvious negatives. Shame on local leaders for not doing their due diligience. That is progress for you.
signed,
Former LaJunta resident
