By By Lisa Tindell – news reporter
Amid rumors of delayed construction and opening, the anticipation of having a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Brewton will have to be put on hold, according to a company spokeswoman.
Steve Yuhasz, community development officer for the city of Brewton, said the latest information he has been given indicated an opening of early 2009.
Marsiglio said she was unable to confirm that information.
Marsiglio said the lack of an opening date confirmation from the company does not mean the project has been halted.
Marsiglio said the reasoning behind the delay is related to an announcement made by the company in June.
A share-holders meeting in June by Wal-Mart officials related information about the restructuring of the construction plans of the company. During the meeting officials announced plans to leverage capital resources through a strategy designed to improve returns, productivity and sales in its American stores. The plans also include moderating the growth of supercenters in the United States.
Wal-Mart had originally announced an anticipated opening day of summer 2008. The property for the proposed business is located along U.S. Highway 31 North in an area known as the old strawberry patch.
The facility is expected to be 184,257 feet of space, more than double the square footage of the company's current location on Douglas Avenue. Officials with the company have indicated the new store would add 125 jobs to the community.