The Andalusia Chamber of Commerce could move to its new home on River Falls Street very early in 2012, after the city council approved an agreement with the organization Tuesday.
The agreement calls for the renovation of the former corporate headquarters of Alatex as a chamber office and welcome center to include a memorial to the thousands of textile workers who once earned a living there.
At present, the chamber’s offices are in the former home of Martha and Solon Dixon, which was donated to the city’s industrial development board for this use.
Chamber executive vice president Ashley Eiland confirmed last night that the chamber has a contract on the building and expects to close the sale in October.
Mayor Earl Johnson said the chamber will use the proceeds of that sale for refurbishing and furnishing the former Alatex building.
“This is similar to what we did with the ballet with the Church Street School property,” the mayor said.
The agreement calls for the chamber to reimburse the city for half of the expenses of the reconstruction, not to exceed $200,000.
The chamber agreed to maintain the facility, to pay its utilities, and to make space available for Alatex memorabilia.
The agreement states that the project will begin immediately and will be completed no later than Jan. 1, 2012, contingent upon the sale of the chamber’s current building.
In other business, the council:
• Accepted a bid of $37,512 from SQ Fabrication for the construction of a cross for Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. A similar structure will be built in Marshall Cemetery, and private contributions will be sought to reimburse the city’s expense, the mayor said.
• Approved nominees for the county’s board of equalization, including Virginia Brawner, Glen Walters and Bill Godwin, all of whom currently serve on the board.
• Reappointed John Taylor, David Darby, Mike Ward and Mark Murphy to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority.
• Reappointed Barbara McCommons, Sue Bass Wilson and Kennith Mount to the Community Enhancement Committee.
U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) will participate in a business forum with members of the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce to discuss major factors affecting the economy and jobs next week.
The forum is set for 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Tues., Sept. 27, at the city hall auditorium.
Roby is seeking input from business leaders on ways to spur job growth.
She will also meet with the Andalusia Rotary Club at noon.
Andalusia Youth League Soccer practice was in full session Thursday night. Above: Cayden Bush runs for a goal during the 4-and 5-year-old practice.
Andalusia’s 2011 Homecoming schedule has been released.
The Bulldogs will play host to Bullock County next Friday night for the football game. Kick off is at 7 p.m.
After the game, the dance with the theme of “Rockin’ through the Ages” will take place.
Each day of the week will have a different theme attached.
Here’s the schedule for the week, which includes the different theme for each day:
• Monday — Pajama Day (put the Hornets to sleep)
• Tuesday — Team Day (wear your favorite football team apparel)
• Wednesday — Peace out to Violence (wear retro/60s clothes to show support for the fight against violence)
• Thursday — Twin Day (confuse the Hornets)
• Friday — Sunday Best/Best Dressed (outclass the Hornets)
Gamma Health Care’s new Andalusia facility is about a month away from opening, company officials said Thursday.
Sandi Burkhardt, manager for the organization’s new Andalusia lab, said she is receiving state-of-the-art medical equipment and expects to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of the area medical community.
Gamma’s Andalusia operation will conduct lab testing for doctors and other medical facilities and have a walk-in clinic where patients can have lab work done.
“Our walk-in clinic will be open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., so that patients can come before work or after work,” Burkhardt said. Drug screens also will be available.
Gamma provides same-day test results in a wide range of fields, including anatomic pathology, cytology, microbiology, and clinical hematology, Burhardt said.
Gamma regional manager Zac Buckelew said the company, which is based in Poplar Bluff, Mo., prides itself on providing patient care that allows clients to be in and out in 10 minutes.
Company president Jerrod Murphy, who is working in Andalusia this week, said he has been very pleased with the welcome and cooperation Gamma has received locally.
The corporate office is located in the county seat of a similarly-sized county.
Gamma will open its Andalusia location with five employees, and expects to add an additional 25 as area business grows. Gamma CEO Jerry Murphy announced plans to place the facility here in January.
It is located on South Three Notch.
The company also has facilities in 14 other locations in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Its only other Alabama facility is located in Mobile.