A new industry will locate in the Andalusia Industrial Park in the first quarter of 2012, employing a minimum of 50 people in a year, Mayor Earl Johnson announced in a speech to the Andalusia Rotary Club Thursday.
GreenSteel Homes, LLC, will locate in a previously unoccupied spec building in the park. The company builds architecturally-designed “green” steel homes with a completely wood-free recycled structure.
The homes are built to withstand hurricane and tornado-force winds up to 200 mph, and are engineered to withstand up to Zone 4 earthquakes.
Johnson said the city has 30 days to put together the contract and lease, and 60 days after that to get the property turned over to them.
“That should put it at about March 1,” he said.
Johnson said training will be provided for employees through the state by AIDT. Wages will average $15 per hour. The company will employ not less than 50 employees in the first year, and not less than 75 employees in their second year.
The mayor said the company looked at several communities before choosing to locate here.
“They told us there were other communities that had just as much to offer, but that they didn’t seem to have the spirit that they sensed here,” he said.
GreenSteel Homes estimates that 32 trees are saved and four recycled cars are used in one of its 1,200 square foot homes. The company offers plans ranging from 600 square feet to 2,500 square feet.
Residents from around Andalusia will have the opportunity to gather together for two annual community Thanksgiving services tonight.
In Andalusia, this year’s event, sponsored by the Greater Andalusia Ministerial Association, will be held at First Baptist Church, with FBC pastor, Dr. Fred Karthaus, bringing the message.
Karthaus said choir members from all church are invited to sing in the area Thanksgiving choir, which will be led by FBC music minister Dwight Crigger.
In Babbie, a service will be held at Babbie Baptist Church at 7 p.m.
Residents from around Andalusia will have the opportunity to gather together for the annual community Thanksgiving service this Tuesday.
This year’s event, sponsored by the Greater Andalusia Ministerial Association, will be held at First Baptist Church, with FBC pastor, Dr. Fred Karthaus, bringing the message.
“Historically, Thanksgiving has been a holiday we have celebrated since the beginning of our nation,” he said. “The Pilgrims and Indians gathered together to give thanks for the harvest. And in the same sense, we, as Christians, gather together and give thanks for our blessings.”
Karthaus said choir members from all church are invited to sing in the area Thanksgiving choir, which will be led by FBC music minister Dwight Crigger.
Those interested in participating are asked to come for a small rehearsal at 6 p.m., before the 7 p.m. service.
Each year the service is held at a different host church and is held on Tuesday so it does not conflict with the schedules of area churches.
“This offers everyone the opportunity to join together in grateful praise to God,” Karthaus said. “We’d love for everyone to come.”
As part of its fundraising efforts for the 2012 Covington County campaign, PowerSouth’s Relay For Life team is sponsoring its first ever 5K Resolution Run/Walk on Sat., Jan. 7, 2012.
The race will start and finish at Andalusia City Hall. The road course will travel through several Andalusia neighborhoods surrounding Andalusia High School. Participants should be at the starting line at 8:45 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start.
“I think participants will be very pleased with the route selected for the race,” said Micheal Davis, PowerSouth employee and Resolution Race Chairman. “There are a few moderately steep hills along the course, but runners and walkers of all skill levels are welcome.”
Pre-registrations for the first ever Resolution Race/Walk will be accepted through Dec. 14. Registration forms are online at www.active.com and www.runningintheusa.com. Entry fees are $25 for participants 13 years or older and $20 for participants 12 and younger.
Race-day registrations will be accepted from 7:30 to 8:30 at Andalusia City Hall.
The race will be conducted rain or shine.
Participants have to pre-register by Dec. 14 to be assured a long-sleeve t-shirt. The overall male and female first place finishers will be awarded $50 prizes. Medals will go to the first place male and female in each age division.
For more information, contact Davis at (334) 427-3422.
There are some 540 Community Christmas angels ready for adoption throughout Andalusia, and now, “the real work begins,” said Larry Avery, Andalusia Community Christmas organizer.
“Fundraising for us is going slow,” Avery said. “Realizing, of course, that everyone is in the same economic boat, there are some who are more blessed than others in that regard. We’re hoping people step up and help us by adopting these angels.”
Avery said because of the economic situation, the organization made two significant changes to this year’s program. The first was a reduction in the number of bicycles given each year. Last year, 165 were distributed. This year, that number drops to 140.
“Our treasury is down significantly because last year, we spent a bit more than we took in,” he said. “This year, we had to do some cutbacks. One was on the bicycles. No one wanted to, but we had to. Prices are going up so fast.”
With bicycles at $89 each, Avery said the reduction in numbers saved the group an estimated $2,000.
The group also reduced the maximum age of participation from 13 to 12.
“We had to do it to contain expenses as much as we can without lowering our quality of services to the children,” he said. “With that said, we need the public to take those angels off the trees and fund them so these children can have Christmas.”
Since Sunday, ACC volunteer Judy Bryant has been busy distributing the angels throughout the area – and she’s not quite finished yet. She hopes all angels are in place by today.
Currently, angels can be found at area banks such as CCB Community Bank, Wells Fargo, Regions and Southern Independent Bank; churches like St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, First Baptist and Christ the King Catholic Church; and area merchants like Wal-Mart, Tractor Supply, Winn-Dixie, Ansley Place, J.C. Penney, Darby’s Village Pharmacy and Walker Business Machines. Other locations include Southeast Alabama Gas District, Andalusia Dental Group, Andalusia Regional Hospital, Christian Book and Gift, Dimples Day Care and Tillman Eye Clinic.
Donations, which are also being accepted for those who don’t wish to shop for a Christmas angel, are tax-deductible and should be mailed to Andalusia Community Christmas Inc., P.O. Box 1525, Andalusia, AL 36420.