Locally, there is an issue with Wal-Mart. Not the store which currently exists in my town, but one they want to build in a town about 15 minutes away. It's sort of the classic issue which arises with Wal-Mart in various places... including a town divided.

Why doesn't the town need Wal-Mart? First, it's a nice little town. Nice Main Street and things to do. They certainly don't need the extra traffic, which has already been growing since the area itself is growing. Also, Wal-Mart does drive small business out. They don't need that. Actually, most places don't need that. Not to mention there is a Wal-Mart Uber-center here in my town. Wal-Mart does have a pattern of opening multiple stores close together, driving out others, then closing a store. Nobody really needs two stors so close, and nobody needs one shutting down in a few years. The people there aren't starved for shopping. There is Target and whatnot in the area. The area also isn't impovrished. I don't know the need for minimum wage workers is really needed. As far as I know, people are pretty well employed around here. Again, this could be wrong but I certainly don't see much people in need. Anyways, that area is all part of a "Tech Valley" which is in the works, and I think Target is re-opening a distribution center around there. Not to mention another Wal-Mart about 15 minutes South of there in Clifton Park.

Also, my town benefits from the Wal-Mart there is. I think my town let some people build here in order to offset some taxes. I know we don't pay some taxes (city taxes or something) because of some of the things we have here. I certainly want the tax money from people from out of town shopping here. But honestly, I'm not sure how much it would effect my personal finances, short or long term, if there was a new store.

I'll be watching this and see what happens. I do hope they don't let them in. I know that some people who Wal-Mart wants to buy land from want it to happen, but many others don't. It's mainly a small town attitude here, and a "big box" store can crush that. It hasn't where I live for two reasons. One is that it's contained. It's where we border with Saratoga Springs, about 2 miles from 'downtown'. The rest of the town is kept rural except that one area which is maybe around 2 square miles, if that.