What would happen in the long term if Wal-Mart left Lafayette?
It is projected that it would take between five and ten years to replace the revenue lost by Wal-Marts departure, if during that period other businesses chose to locate in Lafayette. But even if that rebound were to occur, erosion of city services would be immediate, leading to a devaluing of the quality of life here. Also, even if our economy rebounded over the course of a decade, some key open space land purchases that are important to Lafayette would have been lost, or would be more expensive. Another bleaker scenario Lafayettes long-term future without Wal-Mart, is that the initial negative impact on our economy creates downward momentum. Continued sales tax leakage could lead to a further decline in City services and amenities, driving down quality of life and possibly the value of property here. We could see a long term dwindling of Lafayettes fortunes that would be difficult to reverse.
