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Forbes Ranks Auburn/Opelika in Top 10 Best Small Cities for Jobs

Forbes Ranks Auburn/Opelika in Top 10 Best Small Cities for Jobs

 

Auburn, AL - Forbes.com has named the Auburn/Opelika Area number ten on this year’s list of America’s best small cities for jobs. 

Forbes ranked 398 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), including 241 MSAs with less than 150,000 jobs. Rankings were based on employment data over more than a decade, growth trends and “the region’s momentum.” Forbes cites economic diversity, affordability and quality of life as key to job creation.

PowerSouth recognized for safety milestones

PowerSouth recognized for safety milestones

ANDALUSIA, Ala. – Liberty Mutual Insurance, PowerSouth’s workers’ compensation, auto and general liability insurance provider, has recognized the company for another remarkable year of safety in 2012. PowerSouth as a whole achieved a full calendar year with no lost-time accidents – over 1.2 million hours worked safely by more than 500 employees.

 

PowerSouth continues to set the bar for safety standards in the electric generation and transmission industry. The company’s overall DART (Days Away/Restricted or Transfer) Rate is currently 0.33.  The rate reflects the number of recordable injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees that resulted in days away from work, restricted work activity and/or job transfer in any given timeframe. As such, the company received Liberty Mutual’s Silver Safety Award.

 

Local husband and wife bring home the gold at national Gigi's Cupcake Conference

Local husband and wife bring home the gold at national Gigi's Cupcake Conference

Columbus, GA – Gigi’s Cupcakes, the nation’s largest cupcake franchise, recently held their 4th annual Franchise Owner’s Conference in Nashville, TN.  Local owners, Patrick and Jennifer Cooper were presented with the company’s highest award, the 2012 SWIRL AWARD.  Not only did they receive the Swirl award, Gigi’s Cupcakes also presented them with Highest Royalty Sales for their Montgomery location.  “The Swirl Award is our highest honor and the winner must have a strong passion for the brand, as well as, the highest level of customer service while maintaining our brand standards. Patrick and Jennifer do that and more, said Gigi Butler, Founder and CEO.  To know them is to love them.”    They opened their first store in August 2010 in Auburn at the corner of Ogletree Road and Moore’s Mill Road.  Today they own four (4) stores- Auburn, AL (2 stores), Montgomery, AL and Columbus, GA.

Trek Travel Comes to James Bros. Bikes

Trek Travel Comes to James Bros. Bikes

Auburn, Ala.—James Bros. Bikes is hosting a Trek Travel event on Thursday, April 18, from 6 to 8
p.m. Trek Travel offers a variety of cycling destinations in North America, Europe, Latin America
and Asia Pacific. The event will be held at James Bros. Bikes, located at 1684 S College St. in
Auburn. Registration for the event is free of charge and on a first come, first serve basis. To
register for the event visit James Bros. Bikes’ Facebook page or follow the link,
https://www.facebook.com/jamesbrosbikes/app_198645986849938, to register.

Gov. Bentley to participate in industrial site design announcement

Gov. Bentley to participate in industrial site design announcement

Governor Robert Bentley on Monday will join CSX executives, other elected leaders and economic developers to formally announce Alabama’s first and only CSX Select Site designation.

CSX’s Select Site program reviews the most capable manufacturing and distribution development properties along the CSX network that can rapidly utilize freight rail service. The site in Macon County is 296 acres that will allow the Macon County Economic Development Authority to compete for jobs in the area.

The news conference will take place at 11:00 a.m.

Rite Aid Foundation awards $15,000 to Impact Alabama

Rite Aid Foundation awards $15,000 to Impact Alabama


The Rite Aid Foundation announced today a $15,000 grant to Impact Alabama. A non-profit organization based in Birmingham, Impact Alabama works collaboratively with higher education institutions and their surrounding communities in order to develop and implement social justice projects that work to achieve fundamental and systemic change throughout the State of Alabama. The organization will use the grant to expand FocusFirst, a vision screening program for children ages six months to five years, in Head Start classrooms and lower-income daycares across the state. The Rite Aid Foundation previously awarded Impact Alabama a $15,000 grant in 2010.

“Every child deserves quality healthcare, regardless of their environment or their family’s ability to pay,” said Gayle Rife, Manager of The Rite Aid Foundation.

Gov. Bentley to discuss upcoming state sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items

Gov. Bentley to discuss upcoming state sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items

Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday will hold a news conference in the State Capitol to discuss Alabama’s upcoming state sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items. The Governor will also recognize Severe Weather Awareness Week throughout the state of Alabama.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m.