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Time running out to nominate employers for 2013 Freedom Award

Time running out to nominate employers for 2013 Freedom Award

 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, is encouraging Guardsmen and Reservists to nominate their civilian employers for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award before the January 21 deadline. The Freedom Award is the nation’s highest recognition for employers supporting Guard and Reserve members. Employers of every size and industry are eligible to receive the honor. Guard and Reserve members, or a family member acting on their behalf, may nominate their employers at www.FreedomAward.mil.

"With today's evolving missions of the Reserve Component, as we adapt to the current national security policy, America's employers continue to provide steadfast support to the more than one million men and women serving in the National Guard and Reserve at home and abroad.

Attorney General calls Victoryland's reopening "path to confrontation"

Attorney General calls Victoryland's reopening "path to confrontation"

SHORTER, AL (WSFA) - The reopening announcement Tuesday that Victoryland, a sprawling gaming complex along Interstate 85 in Macon County, is drawing cheers from local residents and officials.

But Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange is not pleased, calling the move "disappointing" and saying Victoryland "has chosen the path of confrontation".

Victoryland owner Milton McGregor has been promising for some time to reopen the facility, and Tuesday morning his attorney, Joe Espy, made it official. The center will open at 2:00pm.

Espy released the following statement:

"I am proud to announce that VictoryLand will reopen today, December 18, at 2:00 PM.  We welcome back all of our many loyal customers and friends who enjoyed the fun and entertainment Victoryland provided for more than seven years.

Alabama Tourism Publishes Official Book for the “Year of Alabama Food”

Alabama Tourism Publishes Official Book for the  “Year of Alabama Food”

Montgomery, Ala.— More than 225 dishes at restaurants across the state are featured in a new photo book titled Alabama Food that goes on sale Dec. 3.

The colorful 128-page book was produced in cooperation with the Alabama Tourism Department and covers the food scene in the state by geographic region, starting in North Alabama and ending with the Gulf Coast. It’s based on the popular “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” brochure and emphasizes unique and original Alabama restaurants, the growth of the farm-to- table movement, and native Alabama foods.

A section profiles food products manufactured in the state. More than two dozen Alabama photographers contributed images for the book. Karim Shamsi-Basha’s photo of Hot and Hot Fish Club’s iconic Tomato Salad is on the book’s cover.

17th Annual Booker T. Washington Economic Summit at Tuskegee University

17th Annual Booker T. Washington Economic Summit at Tuskegee University
THEME:“Revitalizing Entrepreneurship and Procurement Opportunities in Small Towns and Rural Communities

CONFERENCE DATES:

September 26-28, 2012

WHERE:

Tuskegee University Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, Tuskegee, AL

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Irrigation tax credit being allowed for Alabama farmers for the 2012 tax year

Irrigation tax credit being allowed for Alabama farmers for the 2012 tax year

Beginning with the 2012 tax year Alabama farmers will be allowed a state income tax credit on the purchase and installation of qualified irrigation equipment, qualified reservoirs, or the conversion of irrigation equipment from fuel to electricity.  The credit is 20% of the unreimbursed cost not to exceed $10,000.  This credit is an Alabama income tax credit only.  It does not affect Federal income tax or Self-employment tax (SE tax).

To qualify for this credit you must be an Alabama tax payer that is an agricultural business that qualifies under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sector 11 designation, and the activity must conform to existing environmental and water laws of Alabama.  Qualifying property for this credit includes the following:

Qualified Reservoirs - An off stream upland pond or lake whose sole purpose is as a source of water for irrigation.

Qualified Irrigation Equipment

Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce to hold ribbon cutting tomorrow

Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce to hold ribbon cutting tomorrow

The Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce is welcoming new chamber member, New Beginnings Bridal, Formal and More, with a ribbon cutting tomorrow, June 16th at 5:30 p.m.

New Beginnings Bridal, Formal and More is located at 203 W. Montgomery Road, (next to Loretta's University Cleaners).  Their phone numbers are 334-207-3080 & 334-226-1220.

Source:  Tuskegee Area Chamber of Commerce

Alabama legislature creates energy and fuel development grants program

Alabama legislature creates energy and fuel development grants program

The Alabama Legislature passed House Bill 518 on Wednesday, creating The Alabama Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Program. The grants program will be administered by The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and the Center for Alternative Fuels, under Commissioner John McMillan.  This legislation was the developed by the Senate Oversight Committee on Energy, and sponsored by Representative Greg Wren and Senator Cam Ward.

“I am proud to have sponsored this job creating legislation,” Senate Sponsor Cam Ward said. “This is the result of the hard work of the Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy, and it represents the good that comes when we put our heads together with industry leaders to develop legislation that will allow Alabama to be on the leading edge of 21st Century energy development jobs.”

This bill also creates a commission that will have grant making authority.