Wal-Mart eyes Farmington for Neighborhood Market

Wal-Mart on Wednesday (Nov. 20) announced a new Neighborhood Market for Farmington. The new Neighborhood Market will be located on Main Street, will add about 95 jobs and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2014.
 
“We are excited to have Wal-Mart choose Farmington for this new Neighborhood Market, and thankful for the jobs and development it will bring to our community,” Farmington Mayor Ernie Penn said. “This is important to growing our tax base, and providing more convenient options to our citizens.”

Farmington is one of three new Neighborhood Markets slated to open in Northwest Arkansas, following Siloam Springs and Pea Ridge. Bentonville recently opened its second Neighborhood Market, after voters in Bella Vista declined to approve the retailer’s large scale development plans last year.
 
“Walmart is excited for another opportunity to continue to expand our service to the people of Farmington and Northwest Arkansas,” Walmart Vice President for Real Estate Brian Hooper said in a statement.
 
Wal-Mart said it employs more than 49,000 people at its 105 Arkansas locations and the average wage for regular, full-time hourly associates in Arkansas is $12.25 per hour.

Additionally, the retail giant spent more than $11.5 billion for merchandise and services with suppliers in Arkansas last year alone. As a result of those relationships, the company supports an additional 52,107 supplier jobs in the state.