Judge Gabbard Contacts Walgreens Corporate Officials

 The last thing anybody wants to see is a business struggle to make it in your hometown. Small business, large retail stores and even Mom and Pop shops are all contributing factors to a healthy local economy. When we got the news a couple weeks ago that Walgreens was leaving Jackson County, it was something that we had in no way anticipated. I am in Walgreens weekly, sometimes multiple times in a week and assumed that business was doing well. The news of the coming closure sent a shockwave through our county and left many people searching for the reasons that a well-known, large retail business would close when consumers seemed to share the same opinion of the necessity of its operation here locally. I made some calls after a discussion with employees at McKee Walgreens, to some of the corporate officials within Walgreens corporation. The gentleman I spoke with is Joel Baise in the Chicago area of Illinois. I explained to Mr. Baise what having a store like Walgreens in our community meant to the citizens here. I also explained how that we have lost several businesses over the last 10-15 years and how when we lose a business it's like another piece of our development hopes has been stripped from us. Mr. Baise was very understanding and offered his apologies from the corporation because of the decision to close the store. He also explained how they look at the revenue that every store reports. The retail sales have to offset the cost of pharmacy sales for the fact of how long it takes for them to get reimbursed for the medicine they purchase to supply their customers. Reimbursements take time from insurance companies and RX programs and the sales from the retail part have to float them until the reimbursements come in. He said that simply they were not selling enough in the retail section of the store to cover the pharmacy portion. The pharmacy was supplying many citizens but was struggling on the financial side according to their reports and studies. Therefore, our local store was one that was flagged to be closed. He also stated that Walgreens would be closing 1200 stores and CVS would be closing 900 stores. I asked if there was anything that we could do from a local government standpoint to help them stay in operation in McKee. He stated he appreciated me reaching out and supporting our local store but they just could not stay in operation here. He then stated that they would do their best to help find another business to occupy the property. We had a good conversation and they were very understanding but ultimately, they have no choice but to close. 
Development is essential for the long-term economic health of a community. It is a challenge however, for a small town. Many of our neighboring counties have bigger populations and this is a major driver for economic development. At the 2020 Census Clay County had 20,366 people, Laurel County 60,174 and Madison County 91,266. Estill County was the closest to us in population with 14,277 but they have the railroad, 2 cities and close access to many major highways. At our 2020 census we had 12,950 people. So how do we overcome businesses leaving? Hopefully we can see some development on the old Midsouth Electrics site. If we can get another major employer, the development will follow. Until then, we will have to keep our heads up and hearts in the challenges ahead of us. 
Have a blessed week.