Important Public Hearing : The Walmart Distribution Center project is expected to come before the Merced Planning Commission for an up or down vote on August 19, 2009. Please check back from time to time for official hearing dates and details. Also, become a Merced CAN supporter to learn how you can help bring this project and new jobs to Merced.
June 26, 2009 - The final report on the Walmart distribution center is nearing completion and the Sun-Star reports the project will go before the City for approval soon, with a possible Planning Commission hearing on August 19. Read more
June 3, 2009 – Walmart announced it will create more than 22,000 jobs in 2009, saying, "during this difficult economic time, we’re proud to be able to create quality jobs for thousands of Americans this year". Read more
May 2, 2009 -
The Merced Sun-Star editorializes that the Walmart distribution should be approved, but done correctly. Read more
April 28, 2009 - The public comment period for the distribution center’s environmental review document has closed, but the city will still accept general support leaders. Keep those letters and emails coming by clicking here! Read more
April 17, 2009 - The Merced Sun-Star reports, "Environmental report on Walmart's Merced center draws mostly support." Write a support letter prior to April 27th by clicking here. Read more
April 6, 2009 - Watch this video on what Walmart is doing to make its truck fleet more fuel efficient and better for the environment. See it now
April 2, 2009 - Walmart, the largest corporate cash contributor in the U.S., increased charitable donations by more than 25 percent in 2008, giving more than $423 million to communitites around the globe. Read more
March 17, 2009 -
City Council votes to keep distribution center process on schedule. Supporters applaud decision and plea that too many jobs are at stake to delay process. Read more
February 26, 2009 - Walmart report released. The Sun-Star reports, “For residents such as Vicki Ramirez, a member of the Merced County Jobs Coalition, nothing should hold up the center. ‘Let me make it plain and simple: We need jobs in Merced County,' she said. 'I see people having trouble feeding their kids and keeping their homes.'" Read more
February 24, 2009 - Merced to release Walmart report tomorrow, allowing the public to weigh in on a project that will create over 1,200 jobs, 900 of which will be full-time. Now, is the time for your voice to be heard. Please write the City Council urging them to support new jobs for Merced. Read more
February 13, 2009 – Walmart reports that 94.5% of associates have healthcare coverage. The Washington Post says, “Once vilified for its stingy health benefits, the world's largest company has become an unlikely leader in the effort to provide affordable care without bankrupting employers, their workers or taxpayers in the process.” Read the Article | Read the Press Release
February 13, 2009 - More than one million Americans are on the Walmart health plan, but the numbers certainly don't tell the whole story. Watch the video
February 5, 2009 – Walmart is pleased to support the Amgen Tour of California. Come see Lance Armstrong race on the streets of Merced on February 18th! Amgen Flyer | Read the Article
February 3, 2009 - Walmart Foundation Donates $5.7 Million to Support the Creation of Green Jobs in the U.S. Read the Press Release
February 2, 2009 – The New York Times reports that Walmart “has improved fuel efficiency by more than 25 percent since 2005. The retailer, which has one of the largest trucking fleets in the country, is also testing out alternative fuels with a small number of its trucks, according to a statement scheduled for release today.” Read more
January 29, 2009 – The Merced Sun-Star reports that the Campus Parkway, which will serve UC Merced and the proposed distribution center, begins construction soon. Read more
January 22, 2009 - Despite the recession, the City of Merced is looking to lure new jobs and businesses to the community, including the proposed Walmart Distribution Center. Read more
January 14, 2009 – The environmental report on Walmart’s proposed Distribution Center is expected to be released in February. '"People need jobs,' said Doug Fluetsch, chairman of the Merced County Jobs Coalition." The coalition was formed to support the Distribution Center and the thousands of new jobs the project will bring to Merced. Read the Merced Sun-Star article
December 2, 2008 - Walmart has launched the Green Jobs Council to partner with many of its suppliers to facilitate the creation of green jobs in the U.S. Read more
November 27, 2008 - Walmart has partnered with the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign and holiday shoppers found former Councilman Carl Pollard joyfully ringing the bell in front of Walmart over the weekend. Read the article| Learn more about the Red Kettle Campaign
November 21, 2008 – The Walmart Foundation donated $100,000 to Mercy Medical Center Merced to support construction of a new hospital facility. Read the article | See the photo
November 7, 2008 - See where the proposed distribution center would be located in relationship to other properties and how the proposed 4-lane Campus Parkway will allow trucks to bypass residential neighborhoods. See Map
October 15, 2008 - Watch our new videos on Walmart's history, environmental initiatives and more! Visit Fact Sheets
October 1, 2008 - Learn more about Walmart's economic impact in California. Read the fact sheet
September 30 - To make healthcare more accessible and affordable for associates and their families, Walmart is offering new health and wellness programs. Read the release
September 29, 2008 - Walmart will donate $100,000 to support hurricane relief efforts in Haiti. $2.5 million was already committed to relief efforts in Louisiana and Texas. Read the release
September 25, 2008 - Walmart announced it will reduce plastic shopping bag waste by 33% by 2013 - creating far-reaching environmental and economic benefits. Read the release | Read the factsheet
August 30, 2008 - In preparation of Hurricane Gustav, Walmart's emergency operations center prepares to aid the region by preparing empty stores to serve as shelters, acquiring credentials to allow trucks carrying supplies into the damaged zones after the storm and preparing to haul massive power generators to the region to get stores up and running. Learn more about Walmart's emergency response efforts
July 26, 2008 - The Merced Sun-Star supports new jobs in Merced, saying, "Let's build the distribution center." Read the editorial
July 1, 2008 – Reuters reports that Walmart has increased the number of local U.S. farmers that it works with by 50 percent in the past two years and that figure is expected to grow at a double-digit rate. Read the Article
June 21, 2008 – City officials get an “up close and personal” look at a Walmart distribution center. Read the Article
June 5, 2008 – A recent survey found that 81 percent of city voters support the proposed Walmart distribution center. Read the story and post your comments | See the survey results
May 21, 2008 – Walmart donates $5 million to YouthBuild USA to re-engage out-of-school youth nationwide. Read the Release
May 14, 2008 – Walmart was named one of the best companies for Asian Pacific Americans for its continued commitment to the small business community and contributions to the APA community. Read the Release
May 5, 2008 – With health care costs on the rise, Walmart is now offering even more $4 prescription drugs to help consumers save money. Read the Release | Read the Fact Sheet
April 21, 2008 - As the number of eco-friendly products at Walmart grows, many states across the country are starting to take notice and are increasing their commitment to eco-friendly products. California is now the “greenest” Walmart state in the country. Read the Release | Read the Fact Sheet
April 1, 2008 – For the month of April, Walmart is promoting environmentally sustainable products with advertising and featured products that are both eco-friendly and budget friendly. Read More
March 14, 2008 – Walmart’s $4 prescription drug program has saved customers more than $1 billion since its launch in Sept. 2006. Read more
February 25, 2008 – Walmart gave more than $296 million to charitable causes in 2007, including over $16 million to communities throughout California. Read more
January 25, 2008 - Walmart is pleased to be a supporter of the United Way of Merced County. Read more
January 24, 2008 – Local newspaper reports on Walmart’s campaign "to win over Mercedians." Read more
January 15, 2008 – Walmart launches its Merced Customer Action Network (CAN) website. Learn more about Walmart’s efforts to create jobs and keep our economy strong. Get the facts here
December 18, 2007 - Responding to a nationwide food and grocery shortage in food banks this holiday season, Walmart today announced that it is donating 3 million meals, the equivalent of $1 million, to America’s Second Harvest – the nation’s largest charitable hunger-relief organization. Read more
November 26, 2007 - On the heels of last season’s record-setting Red Kettle Campaign, Walmart has announced its continued support for the nonprofit organization this holiday season. Read more
November 13, 2007 – Walmart’s efforts to improve employee health care benefits has drawn notice from even its harshest critics. The New York Times says Walmart’s focus on affordable health care “holds significant promise in taming what has become a runaway expense for the nation.” Read more
November 13, 2007 – The New York Times discusses recent changes to health care plans with Walmart’s head of employee health care programs, Linda Dillman. Read more
October 24, 2007 – The Walmart Foundation today announced a cash contribution of $1 million to the American Red Cross in response to the raging wildfires in Southern California. Read more
October 22, 2007 – As part of Walmart’s Salute to America’s Farmers, the company is showcasing it’s partnership with Van Groningen & Sons of Manteca, a California pumpkin grower. Van Groningen & Sons represents one example of Walmart’s support of local agriculture and suppliers. Learn more
September 27, 2007 – Walmart expands its $4 prescription drug program; helps reduce health care costs for families. Read the Article | Read the Press Release
September 25, 2007 - Walmart announced yesterday that it will begin asking its suppliers to measure their carbon footprint and find ways to reduce it, part of an effort by the world's largest retailer to transform itself into a more environmentally friendly company. Read the Article
July 17, 2007 – Walmart’s truck fleet
has increased energy efficiency by 15% over the past two years,
with a goal of reaching 25% by the late next year. Read
the article
May 7, 2007 – Today, Walmart announced
its Solar Power Pilot Project in California and Hawaii. According
to Walmart’s Vice President of Energy, Kim Saylors-Laster,
the company is “taking aggressive steps towards our goal of
being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy.” Read
the Press Release | Learn
more about the project
March 25, 2007 – The Sacramento Bee reports,
“Those plans have drawn praise from national environmental
groups. And state regulators charged with implementing California's
greenhouse-gas reduction target -- a 15 percent cut by 2020 -- are
looking to Walmart for leadership.” Read
the Article
February 24, 2007 – The Sacramento Bee reports
on Walmart’s push for energy efficient light bulbs. “It
may sound like a fantasy to imagine this level of light bulb conversion,
but it is happening right now. As the magazine Fast Company reported
last year, Walmart has teamed up with General Electric to manufacture
and market CFL bulbs on a monumental scale.” Read
the Article | Learn
About Energy Efficient Stores
February 7, 2007 – The New York Times reports,
"... in an extraordinary meeting in Washington, the chiefs
of Walmart Stores and the Service Employees International Union
will stand together and agree on a series of goals for achieving
universal health coverage…" Read
the article | Learn
More
January 22, 2007 - Retailer pledges support to
California citrus growers facing significant crop loss. Read
More
January 8, 2007 - Walmart Launches National Ads
Highlighting Values, Health Care, Savings, Philanthropy. View the
TV Commercials:
November 29, 2006 – The Modesto Bee reports,
“Billie Ann McClintick of Modesto said she went to the Walmart
on Plaza Parkway on Tuesday after a chain drugstore quoted a $20
price for a medication used by her 91-year-old aunt. She got it
for $4 at the Walmart pharmacy.” Read
More | Write a Letter to the
Editor
November 13, 2006 – The LA Times reports
in its article “Walmart Goes Green” that "for
the last year, this experimental Walmart Supercenter has been testing
ways to be more environmentally sensitive in everything it does.”
Read
More
October 26, 2006 - The Chico Enterprise reports,
“A locally produced survey on the impact of Walmart Supercenters
around California indicates the big-box retailer helps, rather than
harms, communities.” Read
More
September 25, 2006 – In response to Walmart’s
new drug plan, the Modesto Bee quotes Betty Williams: “'I
have thought for years that the drug companies are the boss and
they have overpriced medications,' she said. 'I am glad somebody
is doing something about it.'” Read
More
July 13, 2006 – The Wall Street Journal
reports, “Gore told Walmart executives and employees at a
day-long conference on the retailer's green efforts that they should
be proud to work there.” Read
More - “Ex-VP Gore Praises Walmart For Environmental
Programs”
June 6, 2006 - “Walmart and SAM’S
CLUB associates and customers amaze us. Year after year Walmart
Stores, Inc., continues to be our number one corporate sponsor.
Their day-to-day efforts on behalf of our hospitals were incredible
last year, bringing their 19-year total to more than $350 million,”
said Jim Hall, Children’s Miracle Network CEO. Read
More
|
