Michael Berretta, Regus' vice president of business developmentfor the Dallas-based company's Americas region, says Bentonvillehas been a target location for two years. "We chose Bentonvillebecause of the proximity to Wal-Mart," he explains. "We expandbased on customer demand and we happen to share a lot of customersand vendors with Wal-Mart." The quoted rate for the 609 S.W. 8thSt. building isn't available, but comparable office space in theneighborhood ranges from $15 per sf to $17.50 per sf, gross.

Berretta tells GlobeSt.com that the Bentonville center will bedifferent from other Regus locations, with offices large enough toaccommodate racking systems and displays. Additionally, meetingrooms will be available so that vendors not wishing permanentoffice space can rent space on a daily, weekly and monthly basis."We don't typically cater to a retailer with this much focus,"Berretta acknowledges. "This Bentonville project will have a lot offocus on retail clients."

Richard Davis, vice president with the Bentonville/Bella VistaChamber of Commerce, says Regus is one of many businessesinfiltrating the area because of Wal-Mart. These days, he says,there are about 1,200 Wal-Mart suppliers in northwest Arkansas.