City officials address the question 'where is Walmart?'

WORLAND — After receiving a voicemail message from an anonymous caller, Worland Mayor Jim Gill addressed the issue of the city’s response now and in the past regarding bringing Walmart to Worland.

Gill said the caller accused the city of “doing your best to run Walmart off” and also alleged the city colluded with a local store to increase the store’s prices. He added that the caller also noted that she shops out of town for basic needs including groceries.

Gill said he has heard others comment and wanted to set the record straight regarding the city and Walmart.

“I want to assure the public that we are doing all we can and I commend the Washakie Development Association for their work,” Gill said, noting a recent letter that WDA Executive Director LeAnn Baker wrote to a Walmart representative.

The letter touted what Worland has to offer in the way of businesses, but also addressed what was lacking, that a Walmart might be able to offer the area.

City engineering representative Mike Donnell said he worked with the company that develops and builds Walmarts around the country. “We worked hand-in-hand to ensure the city could handle the utilities.” He said the city worked with WYDOT [Wyoming Department of Transportation] to make sure they had the approach they wanted and WYDOT widened the highway to five lanes in anticipation of increased traffic.

Council member and former mayor Kreg Lombard said the project started under Sonny Shearer’s tenure and continued with his.

Gill said the city’s previous building official had reached out to Walmart about a year ago and was told that Walmart officials had discussed the property east of Worland and were no longer interested and would be putting it up for sale.

Gill noted that the land was purchased prior to the Great Recession, which began in late 2017 and lasted 18 months. “That didn’t help in getting the building built and the corporation in place. We’ve worked hard in the past and are continuing to work hard,” he added.

City Attorney Kent Richins said that a survey showed some of the issues, which included Worland didn’t have the workforce or housing that would support a Walmart. “We need the workforce, we need the housing,” he said, adding that it may be time to look at areas where residential properties are not currently allowed.

Richins said, “I can assure people, the city of Worland did not do anything to try and discourage Walmart from coming into town.”

In other business, the council:

•Approved the snow removal ordinance on third and final reading.

•Approved the update to the Enforcement Response Plan for the two industries that require pre-treatment wastewater permits — Admiral Beverage and Crown, Cork and Seal.

•During department head reports, Public Works Department Superintendent Brian Burky said two graders will be out next week scraping ice from gutters.