Mayor Richard Alcombright joined Walmart employees in the groundbreaking ceremonies.
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — At the groundbreaking of the Walmart Supercenter on Friday morning at the construction site on Curran Highway, Mayor Richard Alcombright finally seized his opportunity to deliver a short, powerful phrase.
"I've always wanted to say, 'Welcome to Walmart,'" Alcombright said to a small group of Walmart employees, project organizers and others. "It's a great opportunity."
Similar messages of "growth, jobs, opportunity, [and] employment" were echoed throughout the brief ceremony.
"This is truly a great project, not just for North Adams, but Berkshire County," said Michael Supranowicz, the president and CEO of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.
"A Super Walmart, in my mind, becomes a regional destination," Alcombright said, noting that the 160,000 square-foot store could draw customers from New York, southern Vermont and throughout Berkshire County. With the additional customers, heavier traffic will follow and officials were optimistic that some of that traffic will spillover to the rest of the community's businesses.
"I think this area is perfect for this type of store," State Rep. Gailanne M. Cariddi said. "I see it as an anchor for the rest of the road."
Construction of the Walmart Supercenter began in the past three weeks and will finish around June 2013, according to Mayor Richard Alcombright.
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