Retail giant Wal-Mart has begun a direct mail campaign to help build support for two proposed supercenter stores in Tumwater and Yelm, WA, according to the Olympia, WA Olympian.
Wal-Mart officials were not available for comment at deadline.
Fliers began arriving in Yelm mailboxes a few days ago and could go out to Tumwater households by next week.
Under a headline “Wal-Mart is a good neighbor,” the fliers include a comment card that residents can return to a Bellevue address for the company.
Proposals for Wal-Mart supercenters, have sparked controversy in the two towns.
Opponents are worried about increased traffic and the threat the supercenters pose to small businesses selling similar merchandise.
In its mailings, Wal-Mart touts itself as offering competitive prices, sales tax revenue and jobs, medical benefits and 2004 contributions of more than $2.1 million to various communities around the state.
“We sent them out to provide information on the benefits of our stores,” said Berger. “And we want to get feedback and identify supporters.”
While Wal-Mart has built many Western Washington stores in recent years, it has become unwelcome in some communities and has wound up looking elsewhere.
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