Sadly, I had higher hopes for Wickenburg than the weak and crumbling economy it has shown over the past ten years. But since Wickenburg is unable to support businesses that make a Wal-Mart unnecessary, it may as well have one.

We don’t plan on living here much longer anyway.

When you consider the per capita income of local citizens and the cost of driving to Surprise to purchase products that are not available (or that are overpriced) in town, a Walmart would be highly beneficial. Lower driving costs, lower prices, improved access to products. That means there would be a higher retention of local income that becomes available for discretionary spending in town.

Who are the loosers if Walmart builds a site in Wickenburg? The tourist traps won’t suffer. The fast food places and restaurants won’t suffer. Remuda certainly won’t suffer.

Safeway, Basha’s, the pharmacys and hardware stores will have to lower their outrageous prices to compete, but that’s about it. Personally, I would like to see Home Depot or Lowes come to town as well.

It is just a matter of time – these businesses will eventually be in Wickenburg. But, before that occurs they will build stores in Morristown as growth moves toward us. And, as these outlets move in our direction, the economic constraint (fuel cost and time) will continue to diminish for local residents.

I think it is past time for the Wickenburg government and citizens to rethink their long standing opposition to Walmart and other big box stores. In truth, the ‘citizens’ of town have been voting with their gas pedal for a very long time. Additionally, a big box store will draw shoppers from as far north as Peeples Valley and west to beyond Aguila. It is inconceivable that the city fathers don’t see the value of this supplemental source of sales tax.

My only concern is whether Walmart will build a 24-hour Super Center or only a smaller facility.