St. Albans Citizens Group Responds to Local Wal-Mart Approval

Wal-Mart Endangers Vermont

Wal-Mart is back. Not content with its four stores in Bennington, Berlin, Rutland and Williston, Wal-Mart has set its sights on more than half a dozen new “big boxes” in Bennington, St. Albans, Derby, Morrisville, Rutland, St. Johnsbury, and Middlebury. As opposed to the more Vermont-scale stores they built in the 1990s, however, the retailers' bold plans are no longer Vermont scale.

7 More Walmarts?

For every 1 poverty level job Wal-Mart provides, 3 livable wage jobs are lost in the community. Wal-Marts average pay to a clerk is $8 per hour with inadequate if any coverage of healthcare. The State of Vermont Joint Fiscal Office says a livable wage is $11.49 per hour and 82% of health benefits.

Wal-Mart Bumper Stickers and T-Shirts

VNRC Continues Battle Over St Albans Wal-Mart

VNRC and other parties have filed legal paperwork June 1 challenging an Environmental Court decision that approves the construction of a new Wal-Mart store in the town of St Albans.

Joining VNRC in filing the appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court was a local group known as Northwest Citizens for Responsible Growth (NWCRG) and nearby farmers Marie Frey and Richard Hudak. All were granted party status in the Act 250 process and participated in the Environmental Court hearings.

VNRC, Bennington Citizens, File Appeal in Wal-Mart Case

Press Release: Montpelier, VT (October 24, 2011) – Citizens for a Greater Bennington and the Vermont Natural Resources Council today appealed a ruling by the local Act 250 District Commission that denied them full party status in a case involving the proposed expansion of a Wal-Mart in Bennington.

The appeal is to the Vermont Environmental Court.