Berea College, City of Berea Partnering to Support Walmart’s Desire to Remain in Berea

March 3, 2026

BEREA, Ky. – Responding to Walmart’s desire to stay in Berea and upgrade its current facilities, the City of Berea and Berea College are making land located near Exit 77 available to Walmart so the company can build a new store and remain in the community. 

Walmart opened its existing store and began operations in Berea in 1998. 

Leaders from both Berea and Berea College say they believe working together on issues like this can have a positive impact on Berea’s economic development opportunities. 
 
“Berea College values its relationship with the City of Berea and role as a community steward,” said Berea College President Cheryl L. Nixon. “Supporting strategic economic development that benefits Berea’s residents while thoughtfully managing College-related assets is part of that commitment. We look forward to working with Berea officials to also encourage small and mid-sized businesses to locate in our community.”   
  
The proposed site is located along Mayde Road, adjacent to the Berea Industrial Park. The industrial property is owned by the Berea Interchange Development Corporation (BIDC), a subsidiary of Berea College created in 1987.
 
At a meeting last week, the Berea Planning Commission recommended to the Berea City Council that that a zone change be approved for the site, changing it from industrial to business to make possible Walmart’s potential relocation to the exit 77 land.
 
Leaders from Berea and Berea College also emphasized that the parcel under consideration is situated next to the Industrial Park and is not adjacent to the Berea Artisan Center or Berea College farmland.
 
“The City of Berea looks forward to working with Walmart’s team to move this project forward,” said Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley. “There are very few large tracts of available land inside the city limits that would meet the needs of our city’s largest retailer, and I am very happy that Berea College is willing to make part of its land available.”  
 
“This is a great example of a growing, positive trend of Berea College, our business community and the City of Berea working together for the greater good of the city and our citizens,” Mayor Fraley added. “It is great to see Walmart grow into a newer and more modern building because this will have a positive impact on their customers and their employees.”
 
The City of Berea will continue to work with Walmart through the appropriate planning and zoning processes.
 
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