Milford Wal-Mart expands on Friday

MILFORD - The local WalMart became a supercenter on Jan. 27 when a 121,436-square-foot grocery expansion opened at the U.S. Route 6/209 store. Formal grand opening ceremonies and a ribbon cutting are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 30. The expansion will create some 200 new jobs.The nation’s largest retailer is celebrating the new store with some $13,500 in donations to local charities, municipal services and non-profits. Recipients include the schools of the Delaware Valley and Port Jervis school districts, the police departments in Matamoras, Milford, Port Jervis and Westfall among others. Wal-Mart reports that in 2004, Wal-Mart Stores and SAM’S CLUB gave $5,645,093 to local causes and organizations in Pennsylvania communities they serve. In addition, many charities and organizations received in-kind donations and additional funds raised through stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers in the amount of $2,482,277, for a grand total of $8,127,370 contributed through Wal-Mart’s presence across the state. Originally opened in January 1994, the newly expanded store will now be open 24-hours a day, seven days a week. According to Store Manager Jeannie Curchoe, the new 214,724-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter will employ more than 500 people. WalMart reported that more than 1,000 people applied for jobs at the expanded store. WalMart has 67 supercenters, 46 discount stores, 21 SAM’S CLUBS and four distribution centers in Pennsylvania. In 2004, Wal-Mart collected more than $270 million in sales taxes and paid more than $60.1 million in Pennsylvania state and local taxes.