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Rates</title></head><body>
<div><tt><font color="#000000"> Social Science Quarterly
Publishes Study: Wal-Mart Equals Higher Poverty
Rates</font></tt></div>
<div><tt><font color="#000000"><br></font></tt></div>
<div><tt><font color="#000000">Study claims Wal-Mart raises poverty
rates in the counties where its stores are located.</font></tt><br>
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<div><tt><font color="#000000"><br>
MALDEN, Mass./EWORLDWIRE/May 17, 2006 --- A study published in the
latest issue of Social Science Quarterly is the first to examine the
effect of Wal-Mart stores on poverty rates. The study found that
nationwide an estimated 20,000 families have fallen below the official
poverty line as a result of the chain's expansion.<br>
<br>
During the last decade, dependence on the food stamp program
nationwide increased by eight percent while in counties with Wal-Mart
stores, the increase was almost twice as large at 15.3 percent.<br>
<br>
"After controlling for other factors determining changes in the
poverty rate over time, we find that counties with more initial
Wal-Mart stores and with more additions of stores between 1987 and
1998 experienced greater increases (or smaller decreases) in family
poverty rates during the 1990's economic boom period," stated
Stephan Goetz a professor of Agricultural and Regional Economics at
The Pennsylvania State University. Although Wal-Mart employs many
people living in its communities, for most, the hours worked and the
wages paid do not help these families transition out of poverty.<br>
<br>
Another effect is that the closing of "mom and pop" stores
following the appearance of a store leads to the closing of local
businesses that previously supplied those stores including,
wholesalers, transporters, logistics providers, accountants, lawyers
and others. Goetz states, "By displacing the local class of
entrepreneurs, the Wal-Mart chain also destroys local leadership
capacity." Social Science Quartely author's encourage community
leaders to think about programs and policies in anticipation of
helping those displaced by the arrival of the chain.<br>
<br>
This study is published in the June issue of Social Science Quarterly.
Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article please contact
journalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.<br>
<br>
Connecting the Social Sciences, Social Science Quarterly is nationally
recognized as one of the top journals in the field. It is published on
behalf of the Southwestern Social Science Association.<br>
<br>
Dr. Stephan J. Goetz is a professor of Agricultural and Regional
Economics at The Pennsylvania State University. Before coming to Penn
State in 1999, he served on the faculty at the University of Kentucky
for nine years with research and teaching responsibilities in economic
development. Dr. Goetz is available for questions and interviews.<br>
<br>
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partnering with 665 academic and professional societies. Blackwell
publishes over 800 journals and, to date, has published more than
6,000 books, across a wide range of academic, medical and professional
subjects.<br>
<br>
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CONTACT:<br>
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Blackwell Publishing<br>
350 Main Steet<br>
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PHONE. 781-388-8448<br>
EMAIL: JournalNews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net</font></tt><br>
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<div><tt><font color="#000000">SOURCE: Blackwell
Publishing</font></tt></div>
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