Chamber leaders argue the project - voters first have to sign off on a zoning change for the land in next month's election - will benefit city businesses.
"That increased traffic is going to raise the profile of everyone," said Ken Ivory, the chamber's chairman.
Like all things that deal with the pit and the resident-driven referendum against Boyer's project, the announcement came with a debate.
Members of Save Our Communities (SOC), the resident group that forced a citywide vote on the zoning of the 107 acres, showed up at Friday's announcement. Standing on public property - and separated by a chain-link fence - SOC heckled the chamber's news conference.
"We object to our chamber supporting this," said Robyn Bagley, a SOC spokeswoman. "Did our chamber get the support of every one of its members?"
No, Ivory conceded, but the chamber's 15-member board did authorize the endorsement.
"The board acts to represent the organization," Ivory said.
Ivory acknowledges that not all 500 chamber members support the Boyer development. One member has even contacted Ivory to say he doesn't agree with the position.
Timothy Erskine, a Sandy resident and owner of a software company, said small-business owners should be worried about the project.
"Certainly a dollar spent in Wal-Mart is a dollar less spent in local stores," he said.
Boyer's plans call for a Super Wal-Mart, a Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, a section of smaller retailers and restaurants, more than 300 housing units and about 20 acres of park space to be built in the pit at 9400 South and 1000 East.
SOC opposes those plans - the concern focuses mainly on the big boxes - and forced a Nov. 8 vote on the land's zoning by collecting 6,425 signatures.
Other residents say the development will help bring shoppers to Sandy's other businesses.
"It's only going to bring more," Sandy resident Scott Woodhead said.
Business at his Jungle Jim's Playland on Fort Union Boulevard saw "double-digit growth" when Wal-Mart and Media Play moved in nearby, Woodhead said.
jsantini@sltrib.com
