SWEETWATER-Seeing may finally be believing for many who doubted Walmart would ever break ground for a store in Sweetwater.

A ground breaking ceremony was held Friday morning at the 25-acre, 150,000-square-foot Super Center site just south of NGK Metals on Highway 11 South.

The news that Walmart was coming to town was announced about a year ago, but when dirt did not begin moving earlier this spring, some residents doubted the store was coming. Before the official ceremony was held Friday, bulldozers were already rapidly clearing the site.

City officials said they were overjoyed with Walmart breaking ground, as they expect a big sales tax revenue boost from the giant retailer and they expect other stores and restaurants to build nearby.

"We've been chomping at the bit for this day to occur," Mayor Doyle Lowe said.

"The City of Sweetwater is overwhelmed," City Planner Scott Wilson added.

See full story in the Sunday, Oct. 28, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.