This research estimates fiscal impacts of Wal-Mart in Ohio from 1985 through 2003. Using a panel of counties, and accounting
for spatial autocorrelation in an instrumental variable model I estimate impact of Wal-Mart and Super-Centers on selected
revenues and transfer payments. Among the findings is that the presence of a Wal-Mart increases local commercial property
tax assessments resulting in collection increases of between
350,000 and350,000 and 1.3 million. There is also an 18–43% reduction
in per capita EITC claims in a county. However, Medicaid expenditures experience growth which amount to roughly 16 additional
cases attributable to a single Wal-Mart. The magnitude and statistical certainty of these findings, suggests that local fiscal
intervention, either through incentives or a “Wal-Mart Tax” is unwarranted.
Keywords Wal-Mart - Medicaid - fiscal - Ohio
JEL Classifications H71 - R11 - R51
The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Air
Force, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.