House Allots $37M for Wal-Mart Street (USATODAY.com)
NZDEMS--More corporate welfare!?
Posted 3/25/2005 10:41 AM Updated 3/25/2005 10:45 AM
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — The U.S. House has approved a federal highway bill that includes $37 million for widening and extending the Bentonville street that provides the main access to the headquarters of Wal-Mart Stores (WMT).
The company says it asked U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., to help get federal money for the project. U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, added an amendment that put the work into the $284 billion bill, now before the Senate.
Wal-Mart spokesman Jay Allen says the company wants Eighth Street improved so workers will have an easier time getting to their jobs. In the time Wal-Mart's headquarters has been at the site, the company has grown at a much greater rate than the street has been improved. Wal-Mart, measured by sales, is the world's largest company.
"We have people living all over the area," Allen said. "Infrastructure in northwest Arkansas is a big issue for us. This would represent another east-west corridor connected to the interstate, which would benefit everybody."
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USATODAY.com - House allots $37M for Wal-Mart street)