Walmart Begins Expansion in Berlin, Vt.

Click here to view the video, and read the article online!

BERLIN, Vt. - Work is underway on a major expansion of the Walmart in Berlin.

It means more jobs and more choices for customers. But not everyone is celebrating.

From the signs to the shovels, it was clear a big project was starting for Walmart in Berlin Thursday.

"It's something all of us, all our shoppers, everybody in central Vermont has been waiting a long time," says Gerry Hanifin, Berlin Mall manager.

Not everybody was happy about Walmart's expansion and also adding 50 new jobs. Walmart opponents even broke into the groundbreaking ceremony to protest the wages of Walmart workers.

After several years of planning, the project is going forward. It will expand Walmart by 30-thousand square feet.

Hanifin says the addition of grocery shopping will hopefully bring more customers to the mall.

"It's just going to have a tremendous impact for the center and for the central Vermont community," says Hanifin.

The town also sees this expansion as good for the region. Berlin town administrator Jeff Schulz is hopeful Walmart's plan spurs other development and makes Berlin a regional shopping destination.

"We're excited to see this kind of investment in the property and the region," says Schulz.

Construction on the bigger Walmart is expected to wrap up next fall.