MADILL, OK -- Marshall County is seeing more economic growth as the nation's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, expands in Madill, bringing with it several new jobs. Daniel Armbruster has more.

The new Wal-Mart in Madill will not only double the town’s current store in size, it will also double in the number of employees. Local leaders say that is good economic growth for Marshall County.

In a time when so many have lost their jobs, Madill’s new Wal-Mart employees couldn't be happier to have theirs.

The retailer has completed construction on a new supercenter store just east of town. On Friday, Senator Jay Paul Gumm and State Representative Samson Buck toured the new facility and dedicated two Oklahoma flags recently flown over the state capital.

Gumm says the economic impact of this Wal-Mart will only help Marshall County continue to grow.

"Anytime you increase the number of jobs in the community those dollars don't just stay in the pockets of the employees. They move about the community. They are spent in other businesses. They generate and churn economic activity, not just here at this Wal-Mart, but across this community," Gumm said.

The new facility is twice the size of the store it's replacing, and is creating more than 100 jobs for Marshall County. Store manager Melissa Denton says the store will not only improve the community economically, but environmentally, as the store will use 30 percent less energy than the old one.

"We have our sky lights so our lights dim so that we're not using up energy," Denton says.

The new store also offers a larger pharmacy with more registers so customers don't have to wait as long to pay for prescriptions. There are larger aisles and a new section for shoppers to buy party supplies.

The new Madill Wal-Mart will also be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Senator Gumm says this new store is only the beginning of what's to come for Marshall County, as millions of dollars in development are planned for the shores of Lake Texoma.

"It is going to be a booming time for Marshall County."

The new store will have a big grand opening ceremony Wednesday, August 19 at 7:30 a.m. that will be open to the public.