Local Residents Announce Formation of "Farmingdale for Walmart"

Poll Shows Nearly 80% Support Proposed Expansion; Over 2,000 Local Supporters Signed Up So Far

Farmingdale, NY (October 19, 2010) – A group of Farmingdale area residents announced today that they have formed a local group in support of the proposal to expand the Farmingdale Walmart. Brian Watts, one of the leaders of "Farmingdale for Walmart" said "I think it’s long overdue that the town should be acting on this. The savings, convenience, new jobs and additional tax dollars that this store is expected to bring are all welcome additions to our town, especially in these tough economic times." The group submitted petitions in support of the expansion from over 2,000 area residents to the Town Board at its meeting Tuesday night.

A recent poll released in conjunction with Walmart Stores, Inc. showed that 79% of Farmingdale-area residents support the expansion of the Walmart store. Sheila Borgese, speaking on behalf of local consumers, said she is not surprised: "Walmart has been a good neighbor in the Farmingdale community. Neighbors I talk to are excited to have an expanded selection of grocery and other goods at low prices. How could you not want that these days? This will be a big help to local families and senior citizens, and Walmart’s expansion would bring relief as a rateable to a highly taxed area." The poll also found that 64% of respondents felt that grocery prices in the area are too high.

Phil Serghini, Walmart Senior Manager for Public Affairs said, "We are happy to work with Brian and the thousands of area residents who have signed up in favor of expanding the existing store. We have been a member of the Farmingdale community for over three years now, and are looking forward to better serving our customers in the area."

Mr. Watts formed "Farmingdale for Walmart" to give local residents a voice in support of the proposed expansion. The building permit application for the expansion was filed by Walmart with the Town of Babylon Department of Planning & Development in February 2009 and is still pending. Mr. Watts said, "We have no idea why the Building Department and Planning Commissioner are taking so long to approve this proposal." He continued, "It is on vacant, adjacent land. It will expand our commercial tax base and provide much needed local jobs, savings and shopping choices to local residents. The Town needs to do its job and approve the expansion now." The survey found that 85% of area residents felt that the Town has had enough time to make a decision.

Farmingdale for Walmart is a group of Farmingdale area residents who support the proposal to expand the Farmingdale Walmart. Over 2,000 local residents have signed-up so far in support of the store expansion.

NOTE about poll methodology: Conducted by Barry Zeplowitz and Associates; Phone interviews were conducted October 11-15, 2010 with 500 residents living in specific zip codes near the Walmart Farmingdale store. The margin of error for the entire sample is +/-4.5% at the 95% confidence level. The survey was paid for by Walmart Stores, Inc.

MEDIA PROVIDED BY: WALMART STORES INC.