FERRIDAY &8212; In a filing with the state Department of Economic Development, Wal-Mart describes its potential Vidalia store as a &8220;relocation.&8221;

But what that means for the current Ferriday store is still unclear.

The notice, part of an application to enter Concordia Parish&8217;s Enterprise Zone, was also sent to the parish police jury.

Wal-Mart officials have not confirmed the proposed new 104,900 square foot store means closing the Ferriday location, but Ferriday officials have asked the company not to close the store.

If a new store is built and Wal-Mart Louisiana, LLC&8217;s consequent application to join the Enterprise Zone accepted, it would be eligible for a 4 percent state sales tax refund on building-related expenses and a tax credit for Louisiana employees.

The rebate would not affect local or parish taxes the company might incur.

The application also details the potential store&8217;s plans to use 80 existing jobs and create 80 new jobs. A payroll figure of $1.2 million is given for each set of jobs, averaging out to $15,000 per job.

It&8217;s not clear which existing jobs are referred to in the application.

The address of the location is given as &8220;Highway 84/6 at Highway 3180.&8221;

An additional 75 construction jobs are given a payroll value of $1.5 million.

Total building-related investment, minus construction job payroll, is listed as $6.9 million.

Marylyn Friedkin, the Enterprise Zone Administrator in Baton Rouge, said the notification application is just a preliminary step and does not obligate Wal-Mart.

&8220;After the project is complete, they&8217;ll send in an application to participate in the Enterprise Zone Program,&8221; Friedkin said.

Wal-Mart spokesperson Kimberly Randle said the company is continually assessing its options in Concordia Parish.

&8220;This application would be part of that evaluation. It is extremely preliminary at this point. Beyond that we do not have any specific plans at this moment,&8221; she said.

Randle went on to say &8220;there aren&8217;t any expected changes at this time&8221; planned for the Natchez location.

Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen said he has tried to get the company to share its plans with him and has sent them a letter asking them to reconsider moving the store.

Allen received a letter from Wal-Mart informing him the retailer would send someone to investigate the Ferriday site before sending the town a letter notifying it of their intent regarding relocation.

Allen said no notification letter has arrived.

&8220;The Town of Ferriday has heard nothing officially,&8221; he said.

Allen said the town is in preliminary discussions with business interested in moving to Ferriday.