November 13, 2009

Greene County supervisors and Wal-Mart officials broke ground on what will be the new store in Ruckersville Friday, though the construction equipment will stay in park until the weather cooperates.

Despite the dark clouds, Greene County officials say the future is looking bright for Ruckersville.

"In an economic time like this, it's great to think that we can have a 150,000 square foot facility and 350 plus jobs brought to our area," said Greene County Supervisor Steve Catalano.

While many companies are struggling to survive in the current economy, officials say it's the people Wal-Mart serves that give them the opportunity to continue to grow.

"Well it's a business relationship and you earn trust with your customers and you offer them what they look for at a good price and you just try to do your best taking care of the community externally as well and not just being a business but also being a neighbor," said Wal-Mart Regional Manager Chris Rockenstein.

Along with the groundbreaking in Greene County, a new Wal-Mart at Zion Crossroads opened its doors earlier this week, and the Wal-Mart on route 29 in Albemarle County is undergoing renovations to become a supercenter.

"We can't be in business and we can't open new stores and be in locations like this without the support that we've been given," said Rockenstein.

Catalano says the number of Wal-Mart’s around the area is giving options to many shoppers who didn't have much choice in the past.

"We're going to be drawing from other communities as well. As you mentioned there's a number of Wal-Mart’s around us but we have a number of communities around us that are tired of going to the more urban areas to actually shop," said Catalano.

He says the new Wal-Mart will also give jobs and a lot of tax dollars to communities and putting smiles on many faces.

The Wal-Mart in Greene County is expected to have its grand opening by the summer of next year.