By Jeff Skrzypek

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- With a Wal-Mart superstore already in Lebanon and another on the way in nearby Albany, some Corvallis residents are concerned over what kind of impact the retailer will have on those towns, as well as their own.

It was announced earlier this month that a Wal-Mart would be opening up as the anchor of a 26-acre shopping center in Albany, just east of Interstate 5.  The company says they're expected to break ground by mid-2010.

Many Corvallis residents who spoke with KEZI 9 News say that the individuality of their downtown shopping district could be threatened by the presence of a second Wal-Mart in their area.  Some are questioning if downtown Corvallis can stay the way it is with such a large retailer moving in only minutes away.

"I'm happy for Albany and I'm happy for Corvallis," says one Corvallis shopper.  "I like our downtown and I'd like it to stay the way it is."

Others say they're not worried that Albany's Wal-Mart will affect business in Corvallis.  They say not only could the store make downtown shine brighter, but that the city's small businesses won't even be the ones competing with Wal-Mart.  Local business owners say that the bond between their businesses and their customers is stronger than anything Wal-Mart could try and produce.

Another issue up for debate in response to Wal-Mart's arrival is job creation.  Some are excited at the prospect of the near-300 jobs that will open up, while others fear that Wal-Mart's presence might do the opposite to nearby stores.