All of retail counts on traffic. No one knows you re there unless they drive by and see the sign. The more warm bodies you can bring to town, especially from January through April, the more potential customers for all businesses. Fortier said the new center would bring in approximately 250 employees. He said of the approximately 200 Wal-Mart employees at the existing store almost half are residents of Ellsworth.
Employed people pay taxes.
They buy cars. They buy groceries. Fortier said between 25 and 40 people have come up to him supporting the proposed supercenter and other retail growth along the Route 3 corridor. He said he has been approached because he spoke up at a city meeting supporting retail growth. Even though there are many people who are working on this, they don t want to stand up and say it without a group behind them.