Marathon Pundit: Walmart: Several dozen new Chicago stores, thousands of jobs coming

Here's a rarity: Good news regarding jobs. Walmart Stores, Inc. In conjunction with the City of Chicago, the retail giant announced its "Chicago Community Investment Partnership" yesterday afternoon--with the goal bringing thousands of jobs to the city, cutting down on Chicago's retail vacancy rate, and eradicating "food deserts," which are areas bereft of supermarkets.

In a press release, Walmart lays out its plans:

Open several dozen stores across the city of varying size and format. This will not only address Chicago's double-digit commercial vacancy rate but, more importantly, provide customers with more convenient access to affordable groceries, especially those 600,000 residents living within Chicago's three, self-identified food deserts;

Create approximately 10,000 associate positions and 2,000 unionized construction jobs, helping to offset the City’s 11.4-percent unemployment rate;

Generate more than $500 million in sales and property taxes, providing a much-needed revenue boost to a wide range of City and county services;

Pay competitive wages at all levels, for Walmart associates across Chicagoland;

Develop charitable partnerships in Chicago worth $20 million that work to eradicate hunger, curb youth violence and help all Chicago residents live better.

South Side alderman Ald. Anthony A. Beale (9th) is happy with this partnership. "Our city is facing a number of challenges but most of all, we need good jobs," Beal declared. He's been active in the effort to bring a Walmart to the Pullman neighborhood. "There is a growing divide between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots,'" Beale added, "and this initiative has the potential to begin to level the playing field for all Chicagoans."

First Lady Michelle Obama has made the elimination of food deserts one of her personal causes.

Chicago's unemployment rate is 11.4 percent.

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