The Salt Lake Tribune |
| A new WalMart store in Logan has opened its doors, featuring The Fly Shop, one of three in the chain nationwide. The Fly Shop is stocked with equipment and supplies for fishers and outdoor enthusiasts. The store, located at 1150 S. 100 West, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and employs about 350 people. Leased areas and services include a Subway restaurant and a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon. |
| |
| June 17, 2009 |
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
WalMart with Fly Shop opens in Logan
Walmart Store opening nears
Jun. 23--After more than a year of construction, the WalMart Super-center in Locust will open July 15.
Crews have been working tirelessly to stock the store as the weeks begin to wind down for the much anticipated opening.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held April 4, 2008, which was approximately 13 months after Locust City Council approved the construction of the Supercenter.
WRS Realty of Aiken, S.C. was responsible for the undertaking of the project, which included clearing, grading and site construction.
Earlier in June, WRS Reality turned the store over to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., so everything is in place for the store opening.
A hiring drive took place in late April and May at the Stanly Community College Crutchfield Education Center.
Between 325 openings at the Locust location were filled and management anticipates filling approximately 40 more positions.
"The response has been outstanding. The manager is really excited," said Chris Neeley, a public relations representative for WalMart.
"This is a great opportunity for the Locust community. The store is in a position to be a stimulus for them."
This city is also excited for the possibilities the new WalMart Supercenter will bring to the city.
"We're excited for a major corporation like WalMart to decide to locate in the city, especially in these difficult times. Not only will they be providing more jobs to the area, but they'll also be providing a low cost shopping option," said James Inman, city administrator.
Crews have been working tirelessly to stock the store as the weeks begin to wind down for the much anticipated opening.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held April 4, 2008, which was approximately 13 months after Locust City Council approved the construction of the Supercenter.
WRS Realty of Aiken, S.C. was responsible for the undertaking of the project, which included clearing, grading and site construction.
Earlier in June, WRS Reality turned the store over to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., so everything is in place for the store opening.
A hiring drive took place in late April and May at the Stanly Community College Crutchfield Education Center.
Between 325 openings at the Locust location were filled and management anticipates filling approximately 40 more positions.
"The response has been outstanding. The manager is really excited," said Chris Neeley, a public relations representative for WalMart.
"This is a great opportunity for the Locust community. The store is in a position to be a stimulus for them."
This city is also excited for the possibilities the new WalMart Supercenter will bring to the city.
"We're excited for a major corporation like WalMart to decide to locate in the city, especially in these difficult times. Not only will they be providing more jobs to the area, but they'll also be providing a low cost shopping option," said James Inman, city administrator.
WalMart will remodel prior to its expansion
CHICO While it's still planning to expand its Chico store into a super-center, WalMart is moving ahead with a remodeling that basically sets the stage.
Begun last month, the remodeling doesn't change the store's exterior, but creates a new interior, according to the retailer.
New shelving, new colors and new flooring are part of the remake, that the city values at $865,577.
"We're putting in low-profile shelving, bright paint scheme and easy to read signs," said WalMart corporate affairs director Tiffany Moffat, who said customer feedback helped make the decision. "We're always engaging customers to ensure the stores are clean, open and bright."
The remodeling is expected to be complete by late August. The store is open during the process.
Moffat said the company has hired 75 temporary employees to help during the remodeling, not counting the construction work. It regularly employs about 350.
Angie Stoner, WalMart senior manager public affairs, said the remodeling was planned before the expansion work got started.
"It's a priority for us to update the stores," Stoner said.
Last fall, WalMart announced that it would be remodeling 70 percent of its stores over the next five years. The Chico store opened in 1994.
WalMart's proposal to expand from 125,889 square-feet to 208,358 square-feet plus an 18,000-square-foot garden center will go to the Planning Commission on July 16. The expansion makes way for a grocery component.
After completing a draft EIR, the city pulled the document before a public hearing process got started in March 2008 to revise traffic and circulation information.
In addition, the EIR also addressed the expansion's impact on global climate change, saying there would be a less than significant cumulative impact.
If the retailer gets approval to expand, the construction could take 10 to 12 months.
Begun last month, the remodeling doesn't change the store's exterior, but creates a new interior, according to the retailer.
New shelving, new colors and new flooring are part of the remake, that the city values at $865,577.
"We're putting in low-profile shelving, bright paint scheme and easy to read signs," said WalMart corporate affairs director Tiffany Moffat, who said customer feedback helped make the decision. "We're always engaging customers to ensure the stores are clean, open and bright."
The remodeling is expected to be complete by late August. The store is open during the process.
Moffat said the company has hired 75 temporary employees to help during the remodeling, not counting the construction work. It regularly employs about 350.
Angie Stoner, WalMart senior manager public affairs, said the remodeling was planned before the expansion work got started.
"It's a priority for us to update the stores," Stoner said.
Last fall, WalMart announced that it would be remodeling 70 percent of its stores over the next five years. The Chico store opened in 1994.
WalMart's proposal to expand from 125,889 square-feet to 208,358 square-feet plus an 18,000-square-foot garden center will go to the Planning Commission on July 16. The expansion makes way for a grocery component.
After completing a draft EIR, the city pulled the document before a public hearing process got started in March 2008 to revise traffic and circulation information.
In addition, the EIR also addressed the expansion's impact on global climate change, saying there would be a less than significant cumulative impact.
If the retailer gets approval to expand, the construction could take 10 to 12 months.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Walmart Brazil Mobilizes Suppliers and Announces Sustainability Pact
Minister of Environment, Carlos Minc, takes part in the retailer’s event with 500 companies and NGOs. Amazon, packaging and productive chain are the main themes of the commitments
São Paulo, June 23, 2009 – In the search for more sustainable practices in the whole productive chain in Brazil, today, WalMart gives an important step towards hosting a pioneer event in the Country: the “Sustainability Pact”, gathering over 300 suppliers and 200 NGOs, as well as government authorities, partners and associates. On the occasion, the company enforced with its suppliers a number of commitments in relation to theme such as sustainable development in Amazon, reduction of packaging and development of more sustainable productive chains. “We want to be sustainability leaders in Brazil and we are increasingly committed to seeking solutions that will contribute to the future of the planet. This event shows how in line we are with the whole chain. We know that, in sustainability, the union is essential”, says Héctor Núñez, CEO of WalMart Brazil.
For the construction of such commitments, WalMart gathered, in two precious moments, called “Sustainability Dialogues”, representatives from civil society, government, suppliers and associates. The first “Dialogue” took place in May, in Brasília, and the theme was “Commitment with the Amazon”, gathering representatives from the Ministry of Environment, NGOs such as the Imazon Institute and ISA (Social and Environmental Institute) and from specialists.
The second event, which happened at the beginning of the month, in São Paulo, was about packaging and productive chains, having as lecturers and guests Ethos Institute, CETEA (Packaging Technology Center), and ABRE (Brazilian Packaging Association).
Both Dialogues served as grounds to the final commitments announced by Wal-Mart Brazil. Namely:
PRODUCTIVE CHAINS AND PACKAGING REDUCTION:
1. Responsible Purchases
* Reducing by 70% phosphate in laundry and kitchen detergents until 2013;
* Offering laundry products, at least, 2 x more concentrated until 2012;
* Offering at least one organic product per food category until 2012;
* Stimulating sales of products with sustainability differential;
* Supporting and encouraging the development of closed cycle products;
* WalMart Brazil private label products should lead because of sustainability example.
2. Waste Reduction
* Reducing packaging by 5% until 2013;
* Implement Packaging Scorecard until 2009;
* Reducing consumption of plastic bags by 50% until 2013.
AMAZON
* Timber Pact – Promoting financing, production, use, commercialization and consumption of forest timber and products with sustainable source certification only.
* Soybean Pact – Establish restrictions for financing, production, use, distribution and consumption of soybeans (in natura or processed) sourced in illegal deforestation areas in Amazon.
* Pact for Eradication of Slave Labor – Establish commercial restrictions to companies and/or people identified in their production chain that use degrading work conditions associated to practices that characterize slavery.
* Livestock Pact – Not to take part of financing, use, distribution, commercialization and consumption of livestock product with having any illegality detected in its chain, above all deforestation and slave-like labor. Require from beef suppliers copies of Animal Transit Forms (GTA) attached to Invoices and independent audit plan and international acknowledgement that ensure that products marketed by WalMart do not derive from devastation areas in the Amazon.
Greenpeace Report - WalMart adjourned the acquisition from farms involved in the deforestation of Amazon, pursuant to report released by the Greenpeace and information provided by the Public Prosecutor in the State of Pará. The action is aimed at repudiating the practices accused and was implemented in the supermarket sphere, by means of the Brazilian Supermarket Association (ABRAS). For WalMart, it is inacceptable that suppliers use illegal practices in their productive processes or inputs from irregular productive chains.The decision is valid to all of its formats in the country: hypermarkets BIG, Hiper Bompreço and WalMart Supercenter, supermarkets Nacional, Mercadorama and Bompreço, wholesale business Maxxi, membership club SAM'S CLUB and neighborhood supermarket Todo Dia. The position includes notifying meat packing plants, suspending purchases from the farms accused by the Public Prosecutor in the State of Pará and require from meat packing plants the Guias de Trânsito Animal [Animal Transit Forms] attached to Invoices or electronic similar information. As additional measure, the implementation of an independent audit plan and international acknowledgement that ensure that the products they market do not derive from devastation areas in the Amazon.
Carrier Bags Campaign – During the “Sustainability Pact Wal-Mart Brazil”, the Minister of Environment, Carlos Minc, one of the lecturers in the event, launched a national campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags, in partnership with Wal-Mart. With the name “Saco é um Saco” [Bags are a ‘Pain’], the purpose to bring awareness to population on the conscious use of plastic bags.
The support of WalMart Brazil to the government campaign is in line with the company’s target to reduce by 50% the use of plastic carrier bags until 2013. In order to achieve such goal, the company launched, at the end last year, an unprecedented program in Brazilian retail market, which gives credit to customers for bags they do not use. The amount the supermarket would pay per bag (R$0.03) is returned as credit in the ticket of customers who do not use it and choose any reusable version.
In force in all stores in the Northeast and South (more than 260 units), the program has already removed from the environment millions of bags and granted over R$ 100 thousand in discounts to customers. Until the end of the year, the program will have national coverage with the inclusion of the Southeast region.
Moreover, the retailer incentives the use of reusable bags, offering one of the cheapest models in the market (R$2.50). Made of raw cotton and with capacity to carry 35 kg, the bag starts to gradually become part of consumers’ daily lives. Since launching, in May 2008, more than 2 million WalMart bags are already circulating in the whole Country.
Sustainability – With three major work focus – energy/constructions, residues and products – sustainability is part of WalMart Brazil business strategy. Apart from actions to reduce bags, the company is implementing a zero impact program in its stores and its global target is to generate zero residue in its operation worldwide. In relation energy, WalMart inaugurated its first e coefficient store in December, in Rio de Janeiro and, since then, it has adopted this model as standard to all their hypermarkets. The second store was launched in São Paulo in April this year. The Eco stores, as they are called, were conceived to reduce use of power by 40% and water by 25%. More than 60 sustainable initiative in have been implemented in each one of them, which range from use of rain water to solar energy, including use of recycled material in the entire visual communication, wall with Styrofoam plates and natural lightening. Even uniforms in these stores – as well as in all stores launched since last year – are more sustainable and made, in part from PET bottle fiber.
In relation to products found in the gondolas of the 348 Wal-Mart Brazil stores, many already bring changes related to sustainability. In partnership with large suppliers, the retailer offers differentiated products to its customers. That is the case of Ariel Eco max (Procter & Gamble) powder soap, which requires less water washing of clothes; in the Sustainable Banco Imobiliário game (Monopoly – by Estrela), of underwear made from bamboo fiber (Zorba) and toilet paper Neve Naturali (Kimberly Clark), which uses papers trims in the manufacturing process, among other products.
In the private label line, items had packaging reduced and change of material to reduce environmental impact. Products such as blankets 100% made from PET bottle fiber (about 150 bottles for each blanket), Eco line telephone Ibratele, made from old computers shells (electronic garbage) and Top Max Soap (made from cooking oil collected in recycling stations of Maxxi Atacado Stores in the South), show that it is possible to reuse material that would be wasted in the environment.
Social – Also committed to the social wing of sustainability, WalMart Brazil supports and collaborates towards the improvement of life quality in the communities where it operates. In Recife, for instance, it has adopted an entire neighborhood with the commitment to increase the Human Development Index (HDI) in the region. The “Bombando Cidadania” project, in the neighborhood of Bomba do Hemetério, is one of the over 40 projects supported by the WalMart Institute in Brazil. All together, 4 thousand people benefit from them.
The Loja da Comunidade, a pioneer supermarket model with services to citizens in general, has been operating for 7 months with 3 units in the Northeast region. With services such as issuance of documents, professional tutoring, Internet café, medical assistance, among others, the format has already shown results and so far has helped nearly 70,000 people. WalMart expects to take the Loja da Comunidade to other regions within the country, prioritizing neighborhoods in need.
China – Worldwide, WalMart has incorporated sustainability to its business, with global environment impact reduction targets. Locally, each of the 15 countries in the company’s international area has specific targets, according to the needs of each society. In October last year, WalMart gathered over 1,000 suppliers in China, besides government representatives, to delineate joint targets, especially connected to social problems in that country. Among the agreements signed, there are the compulsory environment compliance (legal), improvement of energy efficiency and use of natural resources, increase of quality standards and more transparency regarding information on the factories.
São Paulo, June 23, 2009 – In the search for more sustainable practices in the whole productive chain in Brazil, today, WalMart gives an important step towards hosting a pioneer event in the Country: the “Sustainability Pact”, gathering over 300 suppliers and 200 NGOs, as well as government authorities, partners and associates. On the occasion, the company enforced with its suppliers a number of commitments in relation to theme such as sustainable development in Amazon, reduction of packaging and development of more sustainable productive chains. “We want to be sustainability leaders in Brazil and we are increasingly committed to seeking solutions that will contribute to the future of the planet. This event shows how in line we are with the whole chain. We know that, in sustainability, the union is essential”, says Héctor Núñez, CEO of WalMart Brazil.
For the construction of such commitments, WalMart gathered, in two precious moments, called “Sustainability Dialogues”, representatives from civil society, government, suppliers and associates. The first “Dialogue” took place in May, in Brasília, and the theme was “Commitment with the Amazon”, gathering representatives from the Ministry of Environment, NGOs such as the Imazon Institute and ISA (Social and Environmental Institute) and from specialists.
The second event, which happened at the beginning of the month, in São Paulo, was about packaging and productive chains, having as lecturers and guests Ethos Institute, CETEA (Packaging Technology Center), and ABRE (Brazilian Packaging Association).
Both Dialogues served as grounds to the final commitments announced by Wal-Mart Brazil. Namely:
PRODUCTIVE CHAINS AND PACKAGING REDUCTION:
1. Responsible Purchases
* Reducing by 70% phosphate in laundry and kitchen detergents until 2013;
* Offering laundry products, at least, 2 x more concentrated until 2012;
* Offering at least one organic product per food category until 2012;
* Stimulating sales of products with sustainability differential;
* Supporting and encouraging the development of closed cycle products;
* WalMart Brazil private label products should lead because of sustainability example.
2. Waste Reduction
* Reducing packaging by 5% until 2013;
* Implement Packaging Scorecard until 2009;
* Reducing consumption of plastic bags by 50% until 2013.
AMAZON
* Timber Pact – Promoting financing, production, use, commercialization and consumption of forest timber and products with sustainable source certification only.
* Soybean Pact – Establish restrictions for financing, production, use, distribution and consumption of soybeans (in natura or processed) sourced in illegal deforestation areas in Amazon.
* Pact for Eradication of Slave Labor – Establish commercial restrictions to companies and/or people identified in their production chain that use degrading work conditions associated to practices that characterize slavery.
* Livestock Pact – Not to take part of financing, use, distribution, commercialization and consumption of livestock product with having any illegality detected in its chain, above all deforestation and slave-like labor. Require from beef suppliers copies of Animal Transit Forms (GTA) attached to Invoices and independent audit plan and international acknowledgement that ensure that products marketed by WalMart do not derive from devastation areas in the Amazon.
Greenpeace Report - WalMart adjourned the acquisition from farms involved in the deforestation of Amazon, pursuant to report released by the Greenpeace and information provided by the Public Prosecutor in the State of Pará. The action is aimed at repudiating the practices accused and was implemented in the supermarket sphere, by means of the Brazilian Supermarket Association (ABRAS). For WalMart, it is inacceptable that suppliers use illegal practices in their productive processes or inputs from irregular productive chains.The decision is valid to all of its formats in the country: hypermarkets BIG, Hiper Bompreço and WalMart Supercenter, supermarkets Nacional, Mercadorama and Bompreço, wholesale business Maxxi, membership club SAM'S CLUB and neighborhood supermarket Todo Dia. The position includes notifying meat packing plants, suspending purchases from the farms accused by the Public Prosecutor in the State of Pará and require from meat packing plants the Guias de Trânsito Animal [Animal Transit Forms] attached to Invoices or electronic similar information. As additional measure, the implementation of an independent audit plan and international acknowledgement that ensure that the products they market do not derive from devastation areas in the Amazon.
Carrier Bags Campaign – During the “Sustainability Pact Wal-Mart Brazil”, the Minister of Environment, Carlos Minc, one of the lecturers in the event, launched a national campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags, in partnership with Wal-Mart. With the name “Saco é um Saco” [Bags are a ‘Pain’], the purpose to bring awareness to population on the conscious use of plastic bags.
The support of WalMart Brazil to the government campaign is in line with the company’s target to reduce by 50% the use of plastic carrier bags until 2013. In order to achieve such goal, the company launched, at the end last year, an unprecedented program in Brazilian retail market, which gives credit to customers for bags they do not use. The amount the supermarket would pay per bag (R$0.03) is returned as credit in the ticket of customers who do not use it and choose any reusable version.
In force in all stores in the Northeast and South (more than 260 units), the program has already removed from the environment millions of bags and granted over R$ 100 thousand in discounts to customers. Until the end of the year, the program will have national coverage with the inclusion of the Southeast region.
Moreover, the retailer incentives the use of reusable bags, offering one of the cheapest models in the market (R$2.50). Made of raw cotton and with capacity to carry 35 kg, the bag starts to gradually become part of consumers’ daily lives. Since launching, in May 2008, more than 2 million WalMart bags are already circulating in the whole Country.
Sustainability – With three major work focus – energy/constructions, residues and products – sustainability is part of WalMart Brazil business strategy. Apart from actions to reduce bags, the company is implementing a zero impact program in its stores and its global target is to generate zero residue in its operation worldwide. In relation energy, WalMart inaugurated its first e coefficient store in December, in Rio de Janeiro and, since then, it has adopted this model as standard to all their hypermarkets. The second store was launched in São Paulo in April this year. The Eco stores, as they are called, were conceived to reduce use of power by 40% and water by 25%. More than 60 sustainable initiative in have been implemented in each one of them, which range from use of rain water to solar energy, including use of recycled material in the entire visual communication, wall with Styrofoam plates and natural lightening. Even uniforms in these stores – as well as in all stores launched since last year – are more sustainable and made, in part from PET bottle fiber.
In relation to products found in the gondolas of the 348 Wal-Mart Brazil stores, many already bring changes related to sustainability. In partnership with large suppliers, the retailer offers differentiated products to its customers. That is the case of Ariel Eco max (Procter & Gamble) powder soap, which requires less water washing of clothes; in the Sustainable Banco Imobiliário game (Monopoly – by Estrela), of underwear made from bamboo fiber (Zorba) and toilet paper Neve Naturali (Kimberly Clark), which uses papers trims in the manufacturing process, among other products.
In the private label line, items had packaging reduced and change of material to reduce environmental impact. Products such as blankets 100% made from PET bottle fiber (about 150 bottles for each blanket), Eco line telephone Ibratele, made from old computers shells (electronic garbage) and Top Max Soap (made from cooking oil collected in recycling stations of Maxxi Atacado Stores in the South), show that it is possible to reuse material that would be wasted in the environment.
Social – Also committed to the social wing of sustainability, WalMart Brazil supports and collaborates towards the improvement of life quality in the communities where it operates. In Recife, for instance, it has adopted an entire neighborhood with the commitment to increase the Human Development Index (HDI) in the region. The “Bombando Cidadania” project, in the neighborhood of Bomba do Hemetério, is one of the over 40 projects supported by the WalMart Institute in Brazil. All together, 4 thousand people benefit from them.
The Loja da Comunidade, a pioneer supermarket model with services to citizens in general, has been operating for 7 months with 3 units in the Northeast region. With services such as issuance of documents, professional tutoring, Internet café, medical assistance, among others, the format has already shown results and so far has helped nearly 70,000 people. WalMart expects to take the Loja da Comunidade to other regions within the country, prioritizing neighborhoods in need.
China – Worldwide, WalMart has incorporated sustainability to its business, with global environment impact reduction targets. Locally, each of the 15 countries in the company’s international area has specific targets, according to the needs of each society. In October last year, WalMart gathered over 1,000 suppliers in China, besides government representatives, to delineate joint targets, especially connected to social problems in that country. Among the agreements signed, there are the compulsory environment compliance (legal), improvement of energy efficiency and use of natural resources, increase of quality standards and more transparency regarding information on the factories.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Chicago (IL), Long Beach (CA), Milwaukee (WI), San Francisco (CA), St. Louis (MO) and Providence (RI) honored by Wal-Mart Foundation for Leadership in
U.S. Conference of Mayors Announces 2009 Green Jobs Training Initiative Grant Winners
Providence, RI— Mayors Richard Daley of Chicago (IL), Bob Foster of Long Beach (CA), Tom Barrett of Milwaukee (WI), Gavin News om of San Francisco (CA), Francis Slay of St. Louis (MO) and David Cicilline of Providence (RI) were honored at the 77th Annual Conference of Mayors meeting for their leadership in green jobs training. The U.S. Conference of Mayors selected non-profit organizations in their cities to receive grants from the WalMart Foundation to support and expand training programs for green jobs.
“Energy, climate protection and green jobs have been top priorities in our work with mayors, Congress and the Administration, specifically our efforts to enact a new energy block grant program and the Green Jobs Act,” said Tom Cochran, Executive Director and CEO of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. “The WalMart Foundation’s generous support of our Green Jobs Training Initiative enables us to continue this important work in building a green workforce in cities.”
Ray Bracy, Senior Vice President of U.S. Government Relations & Public Affairs of WalMart Stores, Inc., presented the awards.
“The U.S. Conference of Mayors, through its Green Jobs Taskforce, is providing leadership, advocacy, best practices and technical assistance to mayors and cities across the country to ensure that we, as a nation, are poised to successfully build the green economy,” said Bracy. “WalMart is pleased to partner with The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ in their efforts to lay an important foundation for identifying the strategies that will help to move the needle for the creation of green jobs.”
Wal-Mart is a valued member of the Mayors Climate Protection Council, established to support The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Center. The WalMart Foundation is committed to creating opportunities to help people live better and has funded a number of environmentally-friendly initiatives since the company created three global environmental goals in 2005: to run on 100 percent renewable energy, create zero waste, and sell products that promote environmental sustainability.
Grant Winner Program Descriptions:
Chicago, IL (Large-Size City Award for $700,000):
The Greencorps Chicago program trains 40 to 50 disadvantaged Chicago residents for at least nine months in ecorestoration, community gardens, plant distribution, landscaping, electronics and hazardous waste recycling and weatherization projects. The program plans to expand its weatherization training and initiate an arborist training program with the support of the Wal-Mart Foundation Green Jobs Training Initiative Grant. “I was impressed by the partnership between the leadership of the mayor and the support from the community early on. In addition the program exhibited a long-term commitment to being green by capitalizing on programs started in 1994 and an ongoing commitment of the leadership in Chicago to multiple green initiatives,” said one of the judges.
Long Beach, CA (Medium-Size City Award for $550,000):
The Conservation Corps of Long Beach trains at-risk youth (18-25) in a one-year non-residential pre-apprenticeship training program focused on recycling, natural resource conservation, drought-resistant landscaping, and energy and water conservation. The program then continues with job placement assistance two years after successful completion. “I loved their thinking in the long-term in terms of sustainability and the program’s simplicity, which is key to its replicability,” remarked one of the judges.
Milwaukee, WI (Medium-Size City Award for $550,000):
The Milwaukee Conservation Leadership Corps is a seven-week high school summer program providing hands-on education components and employment experience in conservation work projects such as restoration and stewardship of open spaces and urban park care and management. The program also teaches about environmental awareness and citizenship in addition to crucial job training techniques such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, decision-making skills and self-management. The judges said, “We loved the development of formalized standards regarding the curriculum.”
San Francisco, CA (Medium-Size City Award for $550,000):
The SF Works/City Build Academy is a public/private/community and labor partnership. City Build began as a mayoral initiative in 2005 through the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development. They have now partnered with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s SF Works to train and place economically disadvantaged residents in asbestos abatement and solar installation. The program plans to expand its curriculum to include energy efficiency, weatherization, solar, bio diesel and brownfield remediation training. One judge expressed, “I was impressed by the program’s strong collaboration with community partners, including the education, labor and business community.”
St. Louis, MO (Medium-Size City Award for $550,000):
The St. Patrick Center Project Go! Green program consists of two parts: 1) The City Seeds Urban Farm Project which trains homeless individuals in green horticulture—preparing them for jobs in landscaping, turf maintenance, nurseries, gardening retailers, grounds-keeping, arboriculture, floriculture and other green-care jobs; and 2) The Go! Network, created this year to train professionals who have lost their jobs due to the current economic crisis in biofuels production and related fields. They plan to expand their program to incorporate the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center. “We were impressed by the program’s innovative approach with a particularly challenging population. The program exhibited key efforts to capitalize on reaching difficult populations while initiating a green jobs effort,” the judges said.
Providence, RI (Small-Size City Award for $372,500):
The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living collaborates with the Providence Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and the local community college in an energy efficiency training program for Workforce Investment Act-eligible participants to become energy auditors. They plan to expand the program to include an 8th grade green literacy program and a “Whole Home Health, Energy Efficiency, and Green Construction” training program. One judge commented, “We were impressed by the Apeiron Institute’s comprehensive strategy, the program’s capacity for replicability, and the strong leadership of the mayor.”
About Philanthropy at WalMart Stores, Inc.
WalMart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the WalMart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the WalMart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, WalMart – and its domestic and international Foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally.
Providence, RI— Mayors Richard Daley of Chicago (IL), Bob Foster of Long Beach (CA), Tom Barrett of Milwaukee (WI), Gavin News om of San Francisco (CA), Francis Slay of St. Louis (MO) and David Cicilline of Providence (RI) were honored at the 77th Annual Conference of Mayors meeting for their leadership in green jobs training. The U.S. Conference of Mayors selected non-profit organizations in their cities to receive grants from the WalMart Foundation to support and expand training programs for green jobs.
“Energy, climate protection and green jobs have been top priorities in our work with mayors, Congress and the Administration, specifically our efforts to enact a new energy block grant program and the Green Jobs Act,” said Tom Cochran, Executive Director and CEO of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. “The WalMart Foundation’s generous support of our Green Jobs Training Initiative enables us to continue this important work in building a green workforce in cities.”
Ray Bracy, Senior Vice President of U.S. Government Relations & Public Affairs of WalMart Stores, Inc., presented the awards.
“The U.S. Conference of Mayors, through its Green Jobs Taskforce, is providing leadership, advocacy, best practices and technical assistance to mayors and cities across the country to ensure that we, as a nation, are poised to successfully build the green economy,” said Bracy. “WalMart is pleased to partner with The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ in their efforts to lay an important foundation for identifying the strategies that will help to move the needle for the creation of green jobs.”
Wal-Mart is a valued member of the Mayors Climate Protection Council, established to support The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Center. The WalMart Foundation is committed to creating opportunities to help people live better and has funded a number of environmentally-friendly initiatives since the company created three global environmental goals in 2005: to run on 100 percent renewable energy, create zero waste, and sell products that promote environmental sustainability.
Grant Winner Program Descriptions:
Chicago, IL (Large-Size City Award for $700,000):
The Greencorps Chicago program trains 40 to 50 disadvantaged Chicago residents for at least nine months in ecorestoration, community gardens, plant distribution, landscaping, electronics and hazardous waste recycling and weatherization projects. The program plans to expand its weatherization training and initiate an arborist training program with the support of the Wal-Mart Foundation Green Jobs Training Initiative Grant. “I was impressed by the partnership between the leadership of the mayor and the support from the community early on. In addition the program exhibited a long-term commitment to being green by capitalizing on programs started in 1994 and an ongoing commitment of the leadership in Chicago to multiple green initiatives,” said one of the judges.
Long Beach, CA (Medium-Size City Award for $550,000):
The Conservation Corps of Long Beach trains at-risk youth (18-25) in a one-year non-residential pre-apprenticeship training program focused on recycling, natural resource conservation, drought-resistant landscaping, and energy and water conservation. The program then continues with job placement assistance two years after successful completion. “I loved their thinking in the long-term in terms of sustainability and the program’s simplicity, which is key to its replicability,” remarked one of the judges.
Milwaukee, WI (Medium-Size City Award for $550,000):
The Milwaukee Conservation Leadership Corps is a seven-week high school summer program providing hands-on education components and employment experience in conservation work projects such as restoration and stewardship of open spaces and urban park care and management. The program also teaches about environmental awareness and citizenship in addition to crucial job training techniques such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, decision-making skills and self-management. The judges said, “We loved the development of formalized standards regarding the curriculum.”
San Francisco, CA (Medium-Size City Award for $550,000):
The SF Works/City Build Academy is a public/private/community and labor partnership. City Build began as a mayoral initiative in 2005 through the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development. They have now partnered with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s SF Works to train and place economically disadvantaged residents in asbestos abatement and solar installation. The program plans to expand its curriculum to include energy efficiency, weatherization, solar, bio diesel and brownfield remediation training. One judge expressed, “I was impressed by the program’s strong collaboration with community partners, including the education, labor and business community.”
St. Louis, MO (Medium-Size City Award for $550,000):
The St. Patrick Center Project Go! Green program consists of two parts: 1) The City Seeds Urban Farm Project which trains homeless individuals in green horticulture—preparing them for jobs in landscaping, turf maintenance, nurseries, gardening retailers, grounds-keeping, arboriculture, floriculture and other green-care jobs; and 2) The Go! Network, created this year to train professionals who have lost their jobs due to the current economic crisis in biofuels production and related fields. They plan to expand their program to incorporate the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center. “We were impressed by the program’s innovative approach with a particularly challenging population. The program exhibited key efforts to capitalize on reaching difficult populations while initiating a green jobs effort,” the judges said.
Providence, RI (Small-Size City Award for $372,500):
The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living collaborates with the Providence Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and the local community college in an energy efficiency training program for Workforce Investment Act-eligible participants to become energy auditors. They plan to expand the program to include an 8th grade green literacy program and a “Whole Home Health, Energy Efficiency, and Green Construction” training program. One judge commented, “We were impressed by the Apeiron Institute’s comprehensive strategy, the program’s capacity for replicability, and the strong leadership of the mayor.”
About Philanthropy at WalMart Stores, Inc.
WalMart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the WalMart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the WalMart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, WalMart – and its domestic and international Foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally.
2009 Mayors' Climate Protection Award Winners Announced
First Place Winners: Denver & Wilkes-Barre
Providence, RI — Denver (CO) Mayor John Hickenlooper, and Wilkes-Barre (PA) Mayor Thomas Leighton have been selected to receive the 2009 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards, a program sponsored by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and WalMart Stores, Inc.
The Awards Program recognizes mayors for innovative practices in their cities designed to increase energy efficiency and curb global warming. An independent panel of judges determined the winners from a pool of 140 applicants.
“These leading mayors are great examples of the local action taking place within our cities to become climate friendly,” said Conference President Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz. “Mayor Hickenlooper’s FasTraks Program will serve as a national model, for cities striving to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, while Mayor Leighton’s Efficiency Program is a perfect example of the cost savings that energy efficient lighting can create.”
“We are proud to honor these cities and their mayors for their leadership and the innovative ways they are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the quality of life in their communities,” said Ray Bracy, Senior Vice President, U.S. Government Relations and Public Affairs, WalMart Stores, Inc. “While the challenge of climate change remains, together we are helping Americans reduce their energy use and save money so they can live better. With the commitment of USCM, WalMart and concerned citizens, we will continue to move our cities, our nation and our planet forward toward a more sustainable future.”
“All 32 Denver metropolitan mayors and the Regional Transportation District joined forces and worked hard to earn community support for a sales tax increase to build FasTracks, the largest transportation initiative in the country with 119 miles of new light rail,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. “We were able to demonstrate to residents throughout the metropolitan area how they would benefit – that even if they wouldn’t ride light rail, they’d end up with shorter commute times by getting as many people possible off the highways and onto the trains. FasTracks will be a crown jewel for Colorado and a clear example of what can happen when government and the communities they serve come together for a common goal.”
“The City of Wilkes-Barre is very proud to be the recipient of this Award,” said Mayor Thomas M. Leighton. “Initiating an efficient energy service program in Wilkes-Barre made both environmental and economic sense. Through this program, we lessened our impact on the environment while experienced substantial cost-savings, estimated to be $170,000 annually. By winning this award, we hope to serve as a model for other communities and businesses who strive to become more environmentally conscious.”
First Place - Award Winning Program Summaries
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (Large City Category)
FasTraks
FasTracks is the most ambitious transit initiative in U.S. history, creating an opportunity to connect smart growth, housing choices and expanded transportation. The challenge of passing a large transit initiative in an ideologically diverse region was met by uniting the environmental and businesses communities and all Metro Denver mayors in a regional bipartisan coalition.
Regionwide, 51 of the 57 new stations will have Transit Oriented Development potential
- meaning the potential to reduce sprawl, and provide pedestrian- and bike-friendly environments that encourage residents to live, work, shop, and play in close proximity to transit, thus reducing their carbon footprint. Last year, Mayor Hickenlooper also pledged to make the Democratic Convention the greenest in history.
Wilkes-Barre (PA) Mayor Thomas Leighton (Small City Category)
Efficient Energy Service Program
A broad-based, public initiative that relies on a combination of energy efficiency upgrades in various city departments. These ranged from new compact fluorescent lamps; overhead and pyramid lighting in public parking garages and public spaces; LED traffic signalization lamps; and a new HVAC system in city hall.
Mayor Leighton initiated this program to make Wilkes-Barre a more eco-friendly place, and reduce the city’s operating expenses by increasing energy efficiency. The project was completely financed through a 15 year bank loan to the City of Wilkes-Barre. In 15 years, the annual energy savings to the City of Wilkes-Barre will be sufficient to pay back the loan with interest.
The following cities were selected as finalists for the awards.
Large City Finalists:
Boston; Charleston; Chattanooga; Colorado Springs; Frisco (Texas); Honolulu ; Houston; Louisville; San Francisco; Seattle; Stamford; and Tallahassee.
Small City Finalists:
Carmel; Chapel Hill; Columbia; Highland Park; Manhattan Beach; North Miami Beach; and Pleasanton.
Providence, RI — Denver (CO) Mayor John Hickenlooper, and Wilkes-Barre (PA) Mayor Thomas Leighton have been selected to receive the 2009 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards, a program sponsored by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and WalMart Stores, Inc.
The Awards Program recognizes mayors for innovative practices in their cities designed to increase energy efficiency and curb global warming. An independent panel of judges determined the winners from a pool of 140 applicants.
“These leading mayors are great examples of the local action taking place within our cities to become climate friendly,” said Conference President Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz. “Mayor Hickenlooper’s FasTraks Program will serve as a national model, for cities striving to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, while Mayor Leighton’s Efficiency Program is a perfect example of the cost savings that energy efficient lighting can create.”
“We are proud to honor these cities and their mayors for their leadership and the innovative ways they are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the quality of life in their communities,” said Ray Bracy, Senior Vice President, U.S. Government Relations and Public Affairs, WalMart Stores, Inc. “While the challenge of climate change remains, together we are helping Americans reduce their energy use and save money so they can live better. With the commitment of USCM, WalMart and concerned citizens, we will continue to move our cities, our nation and our planet forward toward a more sustainable future.”
“All 32 Denver metropolitan mayors and the Regional Transportation District joined forces and worked hard to earn community support for a sales tax increase to build FasTracks, the largest transportation initiative in the country with 119 miles of new light rail,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. “We were able to demonstrate to residents throughout the metropolitan area how they would benefit – that even if they wouldn’t ride light rail, they’d end up with shorter commute times by getting as many people possible off the highways and onto the trains. FasTracks will be a crown jewel for Colorado and a clear example of what can happen when government and the communities they serve come together for a common goal.”
“The City of Wilkes-Barre is very proud to be the recipient of this Award,” said Mayor Thomas M. Leighton. “Initiating an efficient energy service program in Wilkes-Barre made both environmental and economic sense. Through this program, we lessened our impact on the environment while experienced substantial cost-savings, estimated to be $170,000 annually. By winning this award, we hope to serve as a model for other communities and businesses who strive to become more environmentally conscious.”
First Place - Award Winning Program Summaries
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (Large City Category)
FasTraks
FasTracks is the most ambitious transit initiative in U.S. history, creating an opportunity to connect smart growth, housing choices and expanded transportation. The challenge of passing a large transit initiative in an ideologically diverse region was met by uniting the environmental and businesses communities and all Metro Denver mayors in a regional bipartisan coalition.
Regionwide, 51 of the 57 new stations will have Transit Oriented Development potential
- meaning the potential to reduce sprawl, and provide pedestrian- and bike-friendly environments that encourage residents to live, work, shop, and play in close proximity to transit, thus reducing their carbon footprint. Last year, Mayor Hickenlooper also pledged to make the Democratic Convention the greenest in history.
Wilkes-Barre (PA) Mayor Thomas Leighton (Small City Category)
Efficient Energy Service Program
A broad-based, public initiative that relies on a combination of energy efficiency upgrades in various city departments. These ranged from new compact fluorescent lamps; overhead and pyramid lighting in public parking garages and public spaces; LED traffic signalization lamps; and a new HVAC system in city hall.
Mayor Leighton initiated this program to make Wilkes-Barre a more eco-friendly place, and reduce the city’s operating expenses by increasing energy efficiency. The project was completely financed through a 15 year bank loan to the City of Wilkes-Barre. In 15 years, the annual energy savings to the City of Wilkes-Barre will be sufficient to pay back the loan with interest.
The following cities were selected as finalists for the awards.
Large City Finalists:
Boston; Charleston; Chattanooga; Colorado Springs; Frisco (Texas); Honolulu ; Houston; Louisville; San Francisco; Seattle; Stamford; and Tallahassee.
Small City Finalists:
Carmel; Chapel Hill; Columbia; Highland Park; Manhattan Beach; North Miami Beach; and Pleasanton.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Walmart Readies Remarkable Father's Day Prices For Every Dad's "Man Cave"
Retailer Brings in New Savings and New Gadgets, from Game Room to Garage
BENTONVILLE, Ark., (June 11, 2009) – Every dad has a man cave at home – the place you most likely will find him when he wants to relax. Starting June 14, Walmart is helping families find savings that add something more to man caves in his game room, garage and backyard. New savings include a $128 Magnavox Blu-ray Disc player, select Blu-ray movies two for $20, new video game bundles, and handy tools to keep him entertained with new projects.
Also starting this Sunday, Walmart will be the first retailer next to Dell to introduce the new, smart-looking Dell Studio One™ 19 touch screen desktop – one of the newest additions to a re-designed Walmart electronics department.
The Game Room/Living Room Cave: The hi-def or game experience with new savings.
* $128 Magnavox Blu-ray Disc player (NB500MGX)*
* Two for $20 Blu-ray movie bundles of dads’ favorites such as Shooter/ The Italian Job and Face Off / Next
* $59.96 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 All-Play Wii bundle with Wii Motion Plus Accessory and protective sleeve
* $399 PS3 (80GB) Bundle including Quantum of Solace on Blu-ray Disc and the MLB ’09: The Show
* Five for $20 select DVDs – More than 50 favorites including FlyBoys, iRobot, and We Are Marshall
* HDTV savings – $398 Sanyo 37-inch LCD (720p – model DP37649), $697 Vizio 42-inch LCD (1080p – model VO420E), and $1,788 Sony Bravia 52-inch (1080p – model KDL-52S5100)
The Home Office Cave: New products arrive and new savings inspire.
* $398 Dell Inspiron Black Notebook Computer* or $848 Dell Studio One 19 All-in-one Touch Desktop Computer – both exclusively at Walmart
* $69 Canon Pixma Ink Jet Photo Printer with Fax
* $69 Seagate Free Agent Go 250GB Portable Hard Drive
Mobile Man Cave: Popular GPS and cellular products for dads on-the-go, enjoying the drive.
* $199 Palm Pre smart phone (with qualifying contract, no mail-in rebate) – select stores
* $128 Garmin nuvi 250, 3.5 inch touch screen GPS - voice guidance and loaded with more than 5 million points of interest*
* $10 Glove Box Tool Kit (52-piece) for the car
* $46 iPod-Compatible FM Transmitter and Car Charger, available online only at Walmart.com
The Deck Cave: For grilling with the guys, playing chef for the family, or hanging out.
* $17 Grill Care Co. four-piece stainless steel barbecue tool set
* $20 Weber’s Way to Grill guide
* $149 Royal Oak 30-inch Deluxe Charcoal Grill or $198 Brinkman 4-Burner Gas Grill
* $50 Classic Cotton Rope Hammock, available online at Walmart.com
The Garage Cave: For escapes in the garage or making minor improvements.
* $15 Black & Decker 75-piece drill accessory kit or $15 Black & Decker cordless screwdriver
* $15 Carrand Power Jet Wash Wand, $25 Torin Blackjack floor jack, $30 5-gallon ShopVac
* $100 Karcher 1,550 PSI Pressure Washer
BENTONVILLE, Ark., (June 11, 2009) – Every dad has a man cave at home – the place you most likely will find him when he wants to relax. Starting June 14, Walmart is helping families find savings that add something more to man caves in his game room, garage and backyard. New savings include a $128 Magnavox Blu-ray Disc player, select Blu-ray movies two for $20, new video game bundles, and handy tools to keep him entertained with new projects.
Also starting this Sunday, Walmart will be the first retailer next to Dell to introduce the new, smart-looking Dell Studio One™ 19 touch screen desktop – one of the newest additions to a re-designed Walmart electronics department.
The Game Room/Living Room Cave: The hi-def or game experience with new savings.
* $128 Magnavox Blu-ray Disc player (NB500MGX)*
* Two for $20 Blu-ray movie bundles of dads’ favorites such as Shooter/ The Italian Job and Face Off / Next
* $59.96 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 All-Play Wii bundle with Wii Motion Plus Accessory and protective sleeve
* $399 PS3 (80GB) Bundle including Quantum of Solace on Blu-ray Disc and the MLB ’09: The Show
* Five for $20 select DVDs – More than 50 favorites including FlyBoys, iRobot, and We Are Marshall
* HDTV savings – $398 Sanyo 37-inch LCD (720p – model DP37649), $697 Vizio 42-inch LCD (1080p – model VO420E), and $1,788 Sony Bravia 52-inch (1080p – model KDL-52S5100)
The Home Office Cave: New products arrive and new savings inspire.
* $398 Dell Inspiron Black Notebook Computer* or $848 Dell Studio One 19 All-in-one Touch Desktop Computer – both exclusively at Walmart
* $69 Canon Pixma Ink Jet Photo Printer with Fax
* $69 Seagate Free Agent Go 250GB Portable Hard Drive
Mobile Man Cave: Popular GPS and cellular products for dads on-the-go, enjoying the drive.
* $199 Palm Pre smart phone (with qualifying contract, no mail-in rebate) – select stores
* $128 Garmin nuvi 250, 3.5 inch touch screen GPS - voice guidance and loaded with more than 5 million points of interest*
* $10 Glove Box Tool Kit (52-piece) for the car
* $46 iPod-Compatible FM Transmitter and Car Charger, available online only at Walmart.com
The Deck Cave: For grilling with the guys, playing chef for the family, or hanging out.
* $17 Grill Care Co. four-piece stainless steel barbecue tool set
* $20 Weber’s Way to Grill guide
* $149 Royal Oak 30-inch Deluxe Charcoal Grill or $198 Brinkman 4-Burner Gas Grill
* $50 Classic Cotton Rope Hammock, available online at Walmart.com
The Garage Cave: For escapes in the garage or making minor improvements.
* $15 Black & Decker 75-piece drill accessory kit or $15 Black & Decker cordless screwdriver
* $15 Carrand Power Jet Wash Wand, $25 Torin Blackjack floor jack, $30 5-gallon ShopVac
* $100 Karcher 1,550 PSI Pressure Washer
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