Walmart Breaks Ground in Chatham

CHICAGO, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Walmart announced today that site work has begun on a new supercenter in Chatham, a store that will ultimately create approximately 400 jobs and serve as another choice for south side customers who seek more affordable grocery options.  The store, one of nine new locations now planned in the city, is scheduled to open in spring of 2012.

At an event at 83rd Street and Stewart Avenue, Walmart officials were joined by Alderman Howard Brookins and other community stakeholders to discuss how new development like this can help the city during these challenging times.

"This day has been a long time coming -- it's just one more step we are taking to ensure the economic vitality of West Chatham and the South Side," said Alderman Brookins.  "This Supercenter will help residents living in nearby food deserts have easy access to reasonably priced quality produce – something that we are working very hard to ensure for ALL Chicago residents."

Construction of the Chatham Walmart is managed via a joint venture between Powers & Sons and UJAMAA Construction.  According to Jimmy Akintonde, President UJAMAA Construction, Inc., more than 350 construction jobs will be created as a result of this project and the selection process will remain inclusive and local.

"Walmart continues to create opportunity for minorities within the construction industry," said Mr. Akintonde. "Through a close working relationship with Walmart, Alderman Brookins and the community, we have awarded 40 percent of all subcontracts on this project to M/WBE companies, many of whom are local contractors like ourselves with offices in close proximity to the site."

According to Julie Murphy, Senior Vice President, Walmart U.S., the Chatham site was an important step in allowing Walmart to pursue additional opportunities to spur local economic development in the city of Chicago.

"Thanks to the support of Alderman Brookins and others, the approval of this store helped pave the way for additional opportunities," said Murphy. "Walmart is committed to creating 10,000 new jobs throughout Chicago as well as providing access for all residents to our every day low prices, particularly those residing in underserved areas of the City."

In June 2010, Walmart announced the "Chicago Community Investment Partnership," a five-year plan to open several dozen stores, create approximately 10,000 jobs and 2,000 unionized construction jobs, generate more than $500 million in sales and property taxes and develop charitable partnerships worth $20 million.

Walmart's plans in the city include the following projects:

• Supercenter in Pullman at 111th St. and South Doty Ave. (spring 2013)
• Supercenter in West Chatham at 83rd St. and Stewart Ave. (spring 2012)
• Walmart Market in the West Loop at West Monroe St. and South Jefferson St. (fall 2011)
• Walmart Market in West Englewood at West 76th St. and South Ashland Ave. (spring 2012)
• Walmart Market in Lake View at Broadway and Surf (winter 2012)
• Walmart Express in West Englewood at South Western Ave. and West 71st St. (winter 2012)
• Walmart Express in West Chatham at 83rd St. and Stewart Ave. (summer 2011)
• Walmart Express in River North at Franklin and Chicago Avenues (fall 2011)
• Walmart Express in Wrigleyville at Broadway and Addison (winter 2011)

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,000 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than two million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

SOURCE Walmart