CHATHAM COUNTY – Chapel Hill has its first Wal-Mart up and running, although it’s not actually located in Orange County or even Chapel Hill proper, and won’t provide taxes to the municipality.

The Walmart located just south of Orange County’s Border into Chatham County officially opened it’s doors on Friday.

Chris Smith, who is serving as manager at the new Wal-Mart, says the community’s response has so far been positive.

“It’s a mutual feeling, and everyone’s just happy,” he says.

In March of 2012, Chatham County Manager Charlie Horne announced that a Walmart would come to Chatham County on 15-501, just outside Orange County boundaries. The new project would encompass 150,000 square feet and would include a grocery and pharmacy center.

While many local officials have expressed concerns that the project would keep tax dollars away from Orange County, others have said based on previous local shopping patterns, it might actually help the Orange County economy to thrive.

With the eventual return of UNC students to the area, Smith says he has started to look into ways to adjust for the coming rush.

“We have contacted some of the best Walmarts that have done it, with regards to being near some of the very established universities,” he says.

The new Wal-Mart started its search for employees back in mid-March. Interested applicants can click here.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill is Hemorrhaging Tax Dollars
It’s official! Walmart is coming to town! Well, not our town, but Chatham County, just over the line. And to the victor go all the spoils. Walmart has announced it will build a huge 148,500 square foot store on the 15-501 commercial corridor near Smith Level Road and hire 300 employees. Walmart cash registers will […]
North Carolina Revenue Predictions Fall with Recession Risk
State officials have lowered anticipated revenue collection, largely over rising economic uncertainty and the risks of a U.S. recession.
North Carolina Budget Plan Advances as Senate Republicans Double Down on Tax Cuts
North Carolina Senate Republicans advanced a two-year budget that doubles down on already enacted income tax cuts.
Donald Trump Has Sweeping Plans for a Second Administration. Here’s What He’s Proposed
Donald Trump has proposed sweeping changes in a second administration, including scaling back civil rights and expanding presidential powers.
What to Expect (and Not Expect) in the General Assembly Short Session
Immigration, education, marijuana, childcare, open records: which bills will pass the General Assembly this year? Sen. Graig Meyer weighs in.
Witness: Walmart Employee Opened Fire in Break Room; 6 Dead
Written by ALEX BRANDON A Walmart manager opened fire on fellow employees gathered in the break room of a Virginia store, a witness said Wednesday. Six people died in the country’s second high-profile mass shooting in a handful of days. The gunman, who apparently killed himself, was dead when police found him, said Chesapeake Police […]
Companies Facing 1st Tax on Stock Buybacks in Biden Bill
Written by MARCY GORDON Democrats have pulled off a quiet first in their just-passed legislation addressing climate change and health care: the creation of a tax on stock buybacks, a cherished tool of Corporate America that had long seemed untouchable. Under the bill President Joe Biden is scheduled to sign into law Tuesday, companies will face a new […]
NC Tax Filing Pushed Back to End of February
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS North Carolina taxpayers will have to wait a little longer to file. After the state pushed back the date when it’s able to process tax returns to mid-February, it has now delayed a bit further to the end of the month, The News & Observer reported. Tax season is starting late […]
NC Senate Tax Cut Plan Includes Virus Aid for Businesses
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON A broad tax cut proposal from North Carolina Senate Republicans that began its advance in the chamber on Tuesday also contains federal COVID-19 relief money to give more aid to businesses that previously received federal or state pandemic assistance. GOP finance leaders unveiled an amended version of its tax plan, some of which […]
Income Tax Filing Deadline Moved to July 15 from April 15
The income tax filing date has been pushed back from April 15, to July 15, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. Mnuchin announced the decision in a tweet Friday saying that at President Donald Trump’s direction “we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time […]
›