Wal-Mart Supercenter Returns to Waveland With Gulf Coast Community Celebration

WAVELAND, Miss., Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- More than 11 months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the Waveland community in south Mississippi will celebrate the return of its Wal-Mart Supercenter on August 4, marking the occasion with a community celebration in front of the store. Becoming a central meeting place for residents as this community rebuilds, Waveland's returned Wal-Mart Supercenter will create a special kind of re-opening event: a celebration for the community and its leaders to share after a long year its progress, its renewed spirit, and continued long-term plans to move forward.

Free activities, live music, and food will turn the store's parking lot into a festival, with appearances from community and state representatives. The store is located at 460 Hwy. 90. Wal-Mart is the first large national retailer to return to this community still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Today, it is back to its original pre-Katrina size as a Supercenter offering everyday groceries and merchandise items, including specialty items and quantities specifically needed by Waveland residents still rebuilding. For now, the Supercenter is the only full-service grocery and general merchandise store located south of Interstate 10 in the county.

The store is one example of this community's incredible story of progress under challenge. After its building was damaged by Katrina Aug. 29, 2005, the Waveland Wal-Mart quickly erected a 16,000-square foot tent on its lot to ensure people could buy food and basic items. As power across the county remained down for weeks, it was crucial for residents of this hurricane- ravaged community to replace lost items, buy food, cleaning supplies, refill prescriptions, process film and get cellular telephones connected in the storm's aftermath. In November, the store became a Wal-Mart Express, a prototype 57,000-square-foot "store within a store," with temporary walls defining the shopping area. This one-of-a-kind store was a departure from the typical Wal-Mart store on the inside, with a merchandise mix reflecting the unique nature of the community's situation, such as mattresses for FEMA trailers, refrigerators and large quantities of cleaning and storage supplies.

Wal-Mart Announces $100,000 in Additional Grants at Event

As a part of the re-opening celebration, Wal-Mart will provide a total of $108,000 in community grants, including $50,000 to help launch the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce's new Center of Excellence for Business and Community Recovery - a nationally recognized model for the rebuilding of hurricane-impacted communities.

* $50,000 provided to the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce * $50,000 provided to the Hancock County Firefighters Association to help replace GPS and radio equipment * $8,000 to local first responders to provide EMT supplies and replace needed equipment. (The police and fire departments in Waveland and nearby Bay St. Louis will each receive $2,000)-more- Wal-Mart Waveland Re-Opens with Community Celebration

Over the past several months, Wal-Mart has been among numerous businesses and community leaders participating in the Governor's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding, and Renewal, helping to develop long-term strategies to help the Mississippi coast recover from Katrina.

Wal-Mart directly contributed more than $18 million in cash assistance and $3 million in merchandise toward disaster relief along the Gulf Coast. Shortly after the storm, Wal-Mart stores across the country began accepting cash donations from associates and customers to assist the relief efforts, raising an additional $8 million for these communities. Funds being presented to the Hancock County Chamber and Fire Firefighters Association at this event are the final installment of monies raised nationwide by Wal-Mart to help Katrina-impacted communities.

"Wal-Mart's willingness to provide the seed capital for our small business economic development program is yet another example of the company's role as a catalyst for community and small business growth in Hancock County," said Tish Haas Williams, director of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce. "We're excited to announce these efforts at Friday's event and share a new spirit of pride for this community. For us, August will not just be a time of reflection on our losses a year-ago, but a look forward to a brighter future."

Celebration for the Community August 4

U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor, Mississippi First Lady Marsha Barbour, Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo, and Bay St. Louis Mayor Eddie Favre will be among the dignitaries speaking at Wal-Mart's community festival. Beginning at 4 p.m. and lasting through 7 p.m., the festival will include on-stage live music from J.J. Callier and the Zydeco Knock-outs, free samples, food and activities from Coke, Kellogg's, Budweiser, Yarnell's Ice Cream and local favorites such as Tony Chacheres. A Classic Car Show will line the parking, which will be filled with moon jumps for the kids, games, and even opportunities to donate to Children's Miracle Network - supporting children's hospitals across the region.

Presentations from dignitaries will begin on the center stage at 6 p.m.

"We have all been through so much, and our ability to return this store to full-operation is a sign that the Waveland community is growing stronger and moving forward," said Wal-Mart store manager Ray Cox. "We understand Hancock County residents need not only a convenient place to purchase everyday items, but a reason to celebrate how far we have all come together."

Waveland Wal-Mart Supercenter: General Information Jobs and New Jobs

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the store employed more than 425 associates. The Waveland store now has nearly 300 associates, many of whom worked at the store before Katrina. It is still in the process of hiring more associates to serve customers at the newly expanded store.

Special Store Features

Originally opened in 1988, the store has returned to its original size as a 205,800-square-foot Supercenter. It features a full line of groceries as well as a bakery, a delicatessen, a frozen food section and meat, dairy and fresh produce sections. The store has 36 general merchandise departments including apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, a lawn and garden center and health and beauty aids. Customers will now find products for their homes located together as an added convenience. General merchandise departments offer an expanded selection of hardware and home improvement items and an assortment of key products, including home furnishings, storage and small appliances. The store continues to sell mattresses and large appliances, including washers, dryers and refrigerators, and other items not found in a typical Wal-Mart.

The store now features a Money Center, where customers can cash checks, transfer money and use other financial services. "Many out-of-town contractors, construction workers and volunteers have come down to help in the rebuilding effort. The Wal-Mart Money Center allows us to provide a much- needed service for these visitors who may not have a local banking account," Cox said.

Other store features include a vision center, one-hour photo lab, a pharmacy, a McDonald's restaurant, a Regal Nail salon and a Smart Style hair salon. A Murphy USA gas station is located in front of the store. A Tire & Lube Express and family fun center will open soon.

More store features and merchandise continue to be added to the Supercenter daily. The store will be open to customers from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., seven days a week and includes 30 full-service and seven express check- out lanes.

"Some of our customers are moving back into their refurbished houses and need to replace lost items while others are living in FEMA trailers or temporary housing where space is at a premium," Cox said. "We're committed to providing one-stop shopping convenience, no matter what stage of recovery our customers are in at this time."

Wal-Mart in Mississippi

As of June 2006, Wal-Mart and owned and operated the following facilities in the state of Mississippi:

* Supercenters: 54 * SAM'S CLUBS: 6 * Discount Stores: 11 * Distribution Centers: 2 * Neighborhood Markets: 1 As of May 2006, Wal-Mart employed 26,793 associates in Mississippi.

EDITOR'S NOTE: See http://www.walmartfacts.com/ for more information about Wal-Mart in Mississippi.

For more information * Wal-Mart Home Office spokespersons: Melissa O'Brien, Wal-Mart corporate communications, 479-273-4314, and Michael Mills, (479)381-2486 * Local media contact: Kristie Aylett, 228-826-5650, mobile 817-991-1792 aylettk@yahoo.com * Wal-Mart information online: http://www.walmartfacts.com/; merchandise sales: http://www.walmart.com/