CORVALLIS - Nationally known economist Ken Stone will speak at Oregon State University on Wednesday, May 26, about the economic impacts of establishing "big-box" retail stores in both small and larger communities.

The presentation, sponsored by the OSU Rural Studies Program, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Engineering and Construction Auditorium at LaSells Stewart Center. It is free and open to the public.

Stone, a professor emeritus of economics at Iowa State University, is one of the first university researchers in the United States to study the effects of supercenter type retail outlets - including Wal-Mart, Lowes and Home Depot stores - on local economies and nearby communities.

The economist will cover several topics during his talk at OSU, including studies conducted in recent years of Wal-Mart supercenters coming into communities in Texas, Mississippi and Iowa.

An expert in the areas of retail trade and business management, Stone has delivered more than 1,000 presentations to community groups and trade associations throughout North America. Stone and his research have also been featured by several national television network news outlets and by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report.

Stone's presentation at OSU will be recorded to allow later viewing by those who are unable to attend the live event. Videotape recordings will be available, and a recording of the presentation will be accessible online in streaming video format. For more information contact Bruce Sorte, OSU Rural Studies Program, telephone: 541-737-5909.

Source: 

Bruce Sorte, 541-737-5909

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