To the editor:
I am writing this letter to voice my support for the new Lowe's and Walmart expansion in Salem. I feel the new stores will bring in new revenue to the city and help the city's economy.
Lowe's has been a good partner with other cities it has been associated with and will be a good fit in Salem also. It will promote more competition given the fact Home Depot is nearby; and if prices come down, that will be a good thing for all. It will also promote good customer service with two businesses looking for customers.
For those who think Salem cannot support two large stores like this, think how many times you had to go to Danvers to get something. This store will draw from Salem, Swampscott, Marblehead, part of Peabody and Lynn. Anyone who was on Highland Ave by Walmart on Wednesday, Aug. 25, during that heavy rainstorm, knows something needs to be done to fix the road. Lowe's has stated it will give $1.5 million for road work to improve traffic flow along Highland Avenue in Salem and Western Avenue in Lynn, and work with the state Department of Transportation and the community to identify other opportunities where roadway improvements could be made along this corridor.
The new Lowe's will create approximately 150 new part-time and full-time jobs with benefits. It will also create approximately 200 construction jobs. The company also plans to use partial green power purchasing, high-efficiency HVAC systems, a cool and solar-ready roof system, and low-flow water fixtures. All these measures are in accordance with the commonwealth's greenhouse gas emissions policy and protocol.
Lowe's has also given approximately $250,000 for charities and schools in Essex County, including Breed Middle School and Lynn Vocational Technical Institute. For the past four years, Lowe's partnership with The Nature Conservancy has supported forest protection and river restoration programs through contributions totaling more than $500,000.
In closing I feel this is a good move for Salem and a win for all.
Bud Kostan
Salem
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