Super Wal-Mart would benefit area

Editor,

Just a short note on the importance of the upcoming decision to approve the new Wal-Mart store in the City of Polson. If one is really honest they have to admit there is very little shopping in the Polson area. We are basically a tourist town. There are places to buy souvenirs, some gifts, limited automotive services, some expensive clothes, hardware, rent a boat, motels, limited office supplies, restaurants, lots of bars and casinos and some grocery shopping. For the groceries, we are paying very high prices.

There really isn't a place for general family shopping. That is why a large number of the local people do most of their family shopping in either Missoula or Kalispell. When they make a trip to either place, they shop at as many of the stores in the area as they have time. The parking lots of Kalispell and Missoula are full of Lake County license plates. Many of the people who would benefit most by having a Super Wal-Mart in Polson cannot afford to travel outside of Polson to shop.

It is really interesting to listen to one of the grocery outlets complain about having to compete on a price level. These are the same chains that drove out the Mom and Pop grocery stores. The world has changed. It will continue to change. Many people talk about the good old days, but in reality they would not want to live under the conditions of the past.

Having a Super Wal-Mart in Polson will make it possible for more people to do more of their basic shopping in their home area. Other businesses will locate here. The need to travel to other areas to shop will lessen. There is already a business committed to locate in the old Wal-Mart location. Over a thousand lots have been approved by the city council for development.

Like it or not, Polson is growing. A good share of the better jobs in he Polson area are in the construction industry. If the growth were to stop, a good share of the working people in this area would be unemployed. Growth and a good place to live can happen at the same time and at the same place.

We need to modernize our shopping. Having a Super Wal-Mart would be a great place to start.

Bruce Bowman

Polson