Walmart has decided to halt plans to invest $100 million to open a new distribution center in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, a decision that has surprised local businesses and mayors, according to Global News.
Vaudreuil-Dorion, a municipality in the eastern part of the greater Montreal area, was a commercial beacon in the area, and the new 57,000-square-foot facility, which was supposed to be a new distribution center for online orders in Quebec and the Atlantic region, and created 225 jobs, died abruptly.
图源：Global News
Mathieu Miljours, general manager of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Chamber of Commerce, said: "Actually, we were very surprised, we learned about it through the newspaper. ”
Walmart announced plans to build a new facility in September 2022. A grand opening ceremony was supposed to take place.
"It's a symbol for us that it makes sense for a big company like Walmart to come to this area, and now we don't know why it's canceled," Miljours said. ”
图源：Global News
Stephanie Fusco, Walmart's senior manager of corporate affairs, wrote in a statement to Global News that instead of moving forward with the opening of the center, the company "decided to accelerate the upgrade of its existing network, including stores in Quebec, to unlock more all-round capabilities to better meet the growing needs of local customers in Quebec." By the end of the next fiscal year, we plan to invest about 100 million yuan to upgrade 8 stores in the province. ”
Luc Boyer, director of the Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges, a local development agency, said: "I guess it's the economic situation, the global economic situation. “
图源：Global News
The mayor of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Guy Pilon, was also disappointed, but he saw the bright side. "We dealt with one of the promoters and they paid for everything. I now own a brand new industrial park for free. ”
The mayor is confident that before long, someone else will take over the facility. The facility is nearing completion and is strategically located with excellent access to several highways.
图源：Global News
Boyer agrees, "I'm not worried that it will sit vacant for long. ”
It is reported that Walmart leased the land from local developer Harden. Global News contacted Harden's head of development, but he was not in a position to comment on the matter.
At the moment, the reason for Walmart's withdrawal of the project is still unclear.