By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News

Two weeks ago, local real estate developer John Tisdale approached the Andalusia City Council seeking incentives.

Specifically, Tisdale, who owns several retail properties, wanted the city to rebate sales taxes to developers who bring new retail outlets to Andalusia. Tisdale asked for a blanket policy that would have given him and other developers 100 percent of city sales taxes generated by a new retailer for the first three years the retailer operated here, and half of city sales taxes for the subsequent seven years.

The council took the request under advisement and on Tuesday, approved a substituted proposal offered by Mayor Earl Johnson that he described as a “win-win.”

The mayor said Tisdale is working with a “large retail clothing store” that may locate in the former Goody’s site in Westgate Plaza.

Johnson proposed putting half of the sales tax generated by the potential retailer for the first five years into a trust fund managed by the city. The funds would be dispersed to Tisdale to match any money he spent improving property he owns in downtown Andalusia.

“It would have to be used on existing real estate he owns in the downtown area,” Johnson said. “He would match dollar-for-dollar anything paid out of the trust fund.”

The city also would prioritize which building the funds should be spent on, Johnson said.

If the funds were not used by the end of six years, the funds would revert back to the city.

“There is no question there would be benefit to the city if this retailer located here,” Johnson said. “There would be 30 to 35 new jobs and a half-million dollar payroll.”

Johnson said the city has given incentives to two other retailers in the past, and said those businesses have helped Andalusia’s sales tax base remain steady during the recession.

“We’re not plowing new ground here,” he said. “Prattville has borrowed millions of dollars to become a major retail center. We are dealing with small change by comparison.”

Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce
1208 West Bypass
P.O. Box 667
Andalusia, Al 36420
Phone: (334) 222-2030
Fax: (334) 222-7844
Website: www.andalusiachamber.com
 

Contact:  Ashley Eiland, Executive Vice President   For Immediate Release 
              (334) 222-2030
               

COUNTY-WIDE VETERAN’S DAY PARADE:  AN “ALL-AMERICAN HOMECOMING”

COVINGTON COUNTY, Ala. (Oct. 4, 2010) – The city of Andalusia, Alabama, will host a Veteran’s Day Parade and Ceremony on November 11, 2010, at 9 am.  The parade will serve as the kick-off for the weeklong festivities celebrating Absolutely Andalusia Homecoming 2010. 

All veterans in Covington County are invited to participate in this event.  Floats will represent the WWII Era, the Korean War Era, the Vietnam Era, the Cold War Era, Desert Storm/Desert Shield Era, and the Global War on Terror Era. Other parade participants include area high school bands, the National Guard Flag Corp, the Boy Scouts, the CCR Honor Flight, as well as other area civic, educational and church organizations.  The parade will start at Andalusia High School, travel Third Avenue onto East Three Notch Street, and end at the Veteran’s Memorial Park.

 Following the parade, a ceremony and reception will be held at the Memorial Park.  Brigadier General Walter Givhan will be the guest speaker.  Activities include a historical marker presentation, a reception, pictures with all participating veterans at Memorial Park, and City Hall tours for everyone. 

Bus service is made available by First Baptist Church from the Veteran’s Memorial Park to the AHS stadium after the parade and ceremony.  For more information, please call (334) 222-2030 or visit www.andalusiachamber.com.  

October 4, 2010

FACT SHEET-ABSOLUTELY ANDALUSIA HOMECOMING
2010 VETERAN’S DAY PARADE

Who
The City of Andalusia & Covington County
All US veterans in Covington County

What
2010 Covington County Veteran’s Day Parade & Ceremony

Where
East Three Notch Street, Downtown Andalusia, Ala.
PARADE ROUTE:  Line up at AHS stadium, travel up 3rd Avenue to East Three Notch Street.  Walking units will join the parade at First Baptist Church and proceed to the light at City Hall.  Review stands will be in the front lawn of City Hall and float riders will disembark on 6th Avenue in front of the Veteran's Memorial. 

When
Thursday, November 11, 2010
8:30 am Veterans line up
9 am Parade begins

Why
To salute and honor our veterans and their families in Covington County

INFORMATION CONTACT
Ashley Eiland, Executive Vice President
(334) 222-2030

www.andalusiachamber.com

By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News

The Andalusia City Council and Andalusia Industrial Board have approved an agreement to build a 42,000 square foot expansion for Vector Aerospace that will mean 100 new local jobs averaging over the next two years.

When the new jobs are added, he said, Vector will have well over 200 local jobs averaging approximately $25 per hour.

Vector moved in to its existing facility at South Alabama Regional Airport about 18 months ago and has already outgrown the space.

Under the terms of the agreement, the city will oversee the construction of the expansion in much the way it did SaeHaeSung’s new facility in the Andalusia Industrial Park.

“They need it now,” Mayor Earl Johnson said.

The agreement approved by the council and the IDB states that the project is not to exceed $3 million.

The South Alabama Regional Airport Authority is in the middle of refinancing its debt through a bond issue, Johnson said. Until the bond issue is completed, it cannot build the expansion, which Vector needs immediately.

The Andalusia Industrial Development Board will finance the construction for five years and the lease and lease payments will be assigned to the IDB. At some point, the airport authority will take over the financial obligation for the expansion.

“I cannot express to you how excited I am this is taking place,” Johnson said. “This expansion will put us high on the totem pole with aerospace in South Alabama. Doing this in this way allows us to go quickly, which is critical for Vector.”

Vector provides helicopter maintenance and repair to military and domestic companies from its Andalusia location.

Posted on Saturday, September 25th, 2010 at 12:01 am.

By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News

Twelve students have been chosen as ambassadors for the City of Andalusia for the 2010-11 school year.

Ambassadors are selected through a rigorous interview process, and are directed by Jerri Stroud.

This year’s ambassadors are:

Jay Brewer

Jay Brewer is a junior at AHS. Where he is active in band, varsity baseball, Future Farmers of America, Peer Helpers, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Key Club.

He is active in the Carolina Baptist Church and received the Dr. Shakespeare Leadership Award in band.

Stephen Caton

Stephen Caton is an AHS junior. He is president of the Key Club, a member o the AHS band, parliamentarian of FBLA, a member of the Peer Helper Club, Literacy Club, Usher Club, SGA, Fellowship of Christian Students, French Club, Memolusia staff, and served as sophomore class treasurer.

An Eagle Scout, Caton, is an active member of First Presbyterian Church and has participated in Andalusia Regional Hospital’s summer volunteer program.

Sam Fairley

Sam Fairley is a senior at AHS. He is a member of the AHS marching and symphonic bands, Usher Club and SGA.

He has volunteered with Meredith’s Miracles, and is active in theater productions at First Presbyterian Church, at school, and at LBW.

Michael Kelley

Michael Kelley is a junior at AHS. He is a member of the band, Andalusia baseball team, Peer Helpers, Key Club, SGA, Literary Club and French Club.

He is a member of the praise band at Bethany Baptist Church, volunteered for the groundwater festival, and is an honor student.

Dilan Manring

Dilan Manring is a senior at AHS. He is a member of the baseball team and Peer Helpers. He received the Bulldog award for baseball.

Anna Bay McCord

Anna Bay McCord is a senior at AHS. She is a varsity cheerleader, a member of the tennis team, Anchor Club, Usher Club, SGA and AHS Chorus.

She is an honor roll student, is active in the youth group of First Baptist, and volunteers her time for Meredith’s Miracles.

Millard McWhorter

Millard McWhorter is a senior at AHS. He is a member of the band, Future Business Leaders of America, Peer Helpers and plays basketball.

He is an honor roll student, was selected to participate in the national Young Leadership Conference, and is an active member of the Mt. Moriah youth group.

Haley Moody

Haley Moody is an AHS senior. She is a member of the Peer Helpers, SGA, Spanish Club and Usher Club, is a varsity cheerleader, and was voted class favorite her sophomore and junior years.

She is an honor roll student, PowerSouth Youth Tour winner, a member of the Stingray’s swim team and a U.S. Achievement Academy national award winner.

Morgan Palmer

Morgan Palmer is an AHS senior. She is a member of the DECA club, Anchor Club, Usher Club, FCCLA, and Key Club.

She was a Duke TIP state winner, and Alabama DECA finalist, and volunteers with Meredith’s Miracles.

Catherine Grace Searcy

Catherine Grace Searcy is a junior at AHS. She is a member of the AHS band, yearbook staff, Anchor Club, Usher Club, Peer Helpers, an d Fellowship of Christian Students. She is active in the youth group of First Baptist Church.

She is an honor roll student, was selected to the Alabama All-State Honor Band and District Honor Band, and volunteers for Meredith’s Miracles.

Kathryn Williams

Kathryn Williams is a junior at AHS where she is a member of FBLA, Key Club, Anchor Club, French Club, SGA, DECA and band. She also is a majorette.

She volunteers for Meredith’s Miracles, Habitat for Humanity, and the Kiwanis Covington County Fair. She is an honor roll student and a member of the Andalusia Ballet’s senior company.

Devin Williamson

Devin Williamson is an AHS senior. She is a member of the Anchor Club, band, Peer Helpers, Key Club, chorus, and FCCLA.

The current Covington County Junior Miss, she volunteers her time for Meredith’s Miracles, and is active in the youth group and symphony of her church, First Baptist. She has been selected to both the honor and All-State bands.

Andalusia Ambassadors for 2010-2011 are (front row, from left) Catherine Grace Searcey, Kathryn Williams, Anna Bay McCord, Haley Moody, Devin Williamson, Morgan Palmer, and director Jerri Stroud; (back row) Dilan Manring, Michael Kelly, Stephen Caton, Millard McWhorter, Jay Brewer and Sam Fairley. | Andrew Garner/Star-News