Wal-Mart Distribution Center Moves In

Photo by Matt Styer

Think Super Wal-Marts are big? Wait until you see the new Wal-Mart distribution center coming to the area: it's more than six times the size of an average Supercenter.

Wal-Mart has chosen a site in Mount Crawford, just south of Harrisonburg, for a new regional distribution center. This new 1.2 million square-foot warehouse will employ 1,000 new workers starting in January of next year. According to a press release from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the site was originally owned by J.C. Penney, but Wal-Mart acquired the property in part because of its close proximity to I-81, a major transportation route along the east coast. If you've driven up 81 from the south recently, there's no way you could have missed the gargantuan building on the right side as you near Harrisonburg.

The Shenandoah Valley has lost jobs and suffered layoffs numerous times in recent years, such as in the Wrangler Sewing Center closing. The distribution center is a welcome addition to the Valley, as it will have a positive economic impact.

Virginia successfully competed with Pennsylvania and Maryland for Wal-Mart's $55 million investment, with the help of a $1.5 million grant to Rockingham County from the governor, according to Online Insider.

The 1,000 new employees will increase the ranks of the 36,000 workers already employed by Wal-Mart in Virginia. This warehouse will boost the total number of distribution centers in Virginia to four, the same as in Pennsylvania, according to Wal-Mart Facts. The starting wage is $12 an hour, and 95% of the employees will be hired full-time, with the opportunity to receive a comprehensive benefits package.

It's not an easy job, though; workers will have to lift around 30,000 lbs. a day on average, stacking orders on palettes to be sent to individual Wal-Mart locations. Junior Jon Alley, who is currently manager of the meat department at the Dayton Wal-Mart, noted that this distribution center won't carry groceries. Though some are concerned about increased traffic on I-81, Alley says, "The trucks are already on 81; now they'll just stop on the way." He also felt positive that the new manager of the distribution center comes from the Dayton store and is familiar with the area.

Deb Stevens, adjunct professor of economics, said the new warehouse would be "extraordinarily good" for the Rockingham County. The economic impacts include increased property taxes, increases in income for county residents, and some diversification of industry in the county, which is heavily based on agriculture. The direct detriments are minimal, other than the fact that it helps Wal-Mart grow. In light of the 300 layoffs Pilgrim's Pride announced this week, the distribution center is a big boost.

Not everyone believes this development is a positive thing. Sophomore Phil Minnich sees that it "increases Wal-Mart's hold on the market" and further inhibits competition with a corporate giant that boasts a bigger economy than some countries. Senior Zachary Kurtz commented, "What I'm more concerned about than the economic impact is the spiritual implications it has for the Shenandoah Valley." Expansion of Wal-Mart undermines local social networks and economies and causes people to look to one corporation for their social livelihood, said Kurtz. However, he is still excited about this new development. Kurtz acknowledged, "I'd be happy to work for $12 an hour."