Mobile, AL recently received encouraging economic news in the announcement of Walmart’s intention to create a 2.9 million square foot import distribution warehouse in Mobile County. Though many expected the development to create quite a windfall for the local economy, members of the REAL Professionals Network Gulf South Mastermind group learned the full scope of the impact that the announcement will have on the Port of Mobile and the economy of south Alabama. John Stimpson, a partner in Title Guaranty who also partners with Christopher Watkins in a third-party logistics outfit, said the effect the distribution hub will have on Mobile will change the landscape of the local port and open countless export opportunities that previously were run through the Port of Savannah or the West Coast. The presence of an abundance of cargo containers that will come through Mobile due to the Walmart hub will lead to exponential growth of exports for Mobile, and will create new business markets for mills and manufacturers in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana to do business overseas. Because of additional jobs and businesses moving to the area as a result of Walmart’s hub, John Stimpson said he expects to see the real estate business experience quite a surge over the coming two years.

Pictured above (left to right): David Barr (TAG Architects), Robert Krchak (TAG Architects), Richard Brown (Terracon) and Bo Johnson (Florida Land and Imvestment) chat about business prior to the June 28 Gulf South mastermind meeting in Mobile.