DALLAS, May 20, 2006 / FW/ --- Ohio just received a boost in its job market with the opening of six Wal-Mart Supercenters last May 17, adding 1,480 new retail jobs in the state.

The stores are located near Cincinnati (Forest Park and Fairfield Township), Springfield, Bowling Green and Upper Sandusky. They bring 1,480 new jobs to the state, a boon for local suppliers and a combined total of $160,948 to local civic and charitable organizations in the communities where the stores are located. Three of the stores are new facilities, and three are expanded or relocated stores.

The three new Supercenters will employ approximately 975 associates, and the three expansion and relocation stores will add 505 associates. More than 6,500 people applied for jobs at the six stores.

"I am not surprised by the large number of applicants we continue to receive at Wal-Mart," said Larry Greer, store manager at the new Forest Park Supercenter in the Cincinnati area, which received 1,800 applications for 375 available positions at his store. "There are great career opportunities and good benefits with a growing company."

Wal-Mart is currently in the process of hiring for four additional stores it will open in the next few weeks in Bryan, Chardon (outside of Cleveland), Dayton and St. Clairesville, Ohio.

Without the six stores that recently opened, Wal-Mart 47,872 associates as of March 2006. It also owns and operates 75 Supercenters, 49 discount stores, 27 Sam’s Clubs and 5 distribution centers in the state of Ohio.

In 2005, Wal-Mart collected on behalf of the state of Ohio more than $397.1 million in sales taxes and paid more than $52.6 million in state and local taxes.