POWERGRAMS

4 the 108-year-old organization. "Alabama Power Company has been a steadfast and dedicated partner to the NAACP for many years and we value the work the company does in the community," said President Benard Simelton. "Alabama Power's interest in and dedicated commitment to diversity, and their displayed compassion showed during the pandemic to their customers are just a few reasons why this organization chose them as an award recipient." More than 30 municipalities, nonprofits and other organizations benefited from the latest round of Good Roots grants from the Alabama Power Foundation. Good Roots grants provided up to $1,000 to help cities, towns, schools and nonprofit organizations plant trees and undertake beautification efforts, helping enhance public spaces for all to enjoy. The foundation has awarded more than 700 Good Roots grants totaling more than $680,000 to make communities greener and more beautiful. Beneficiaries include Fairfield, where the grant will be used to install welcome signs and plants along a series of historic brick walls that serve as gateways to the city. NOVEMBER Members of APSO marked the group's 30th anniversary by taking on 30 projects in 30 days. In Mobile, volunteers provided turkeys and hams for holiday meals. In east Alabama, volunteers supported the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama by handing out food boxes. In Tuscaloosa, members participated in the annual Tinsel Trail project, which benefits One Place family resource center. In Birmingham, volunteers put together Christmas stockings for newborns and their families. APSO's nine chapters have assisted more than 200 nonprofit organizations and contributed more than 1 million hours of volunteer service since 1991. A report prepared for the Alabama Innovation Commission hailed the state's abundant natural resources as a potential magnet for making Alabama more attractive for advanced industries and the skilled workforces those businesses need. Alabama Power Executive Vice President Zeke Smith heads the Advisory Council to the AIC, which released the 156-page report by the Hoover Institution at Stanford University detailing how Alabama can develop a technology-based, innovation economy. Recommendations include expanding the role universities play in fostering innovation and growth; supporting advanced manufacturing; broadband expansion; and revised tax policies. The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) awarded its Dr. Charles Kao Award to Tombigbee Communications for work in collaboration with Alabama Power. The annual award recognizes individuals, organizations and companies that leverage innovation to connect communities with fiber optic technology. The FBA selected Tombigbee for accomplishments in bringing broadband to unserved regions of northwest Alabama as the company teamed with Alabama Power to use existing infrastructure. Tombigbee will lease capacity on fiber infrastructure used by Alabama Power on its electric grid for reliable and resilient service, as additional support for its backbone network. DECEMBER The Magic City APSO Chapter sponsored the 14th annual Playtime Extravaganza, bringing holiday cheer to patients at Children's Hospital. Led by Technology Organization employees in Birmingham, APSO volunteers delivered 170 toy boxes. Toy box themes included slime, teddy bears and Legos. For the first time, APSO provided boxes for infants. "I cannot thank you all enough for the amazing playtime boxes," said Honey Cook, Child Life coordinator, Children's Hospital. "You all really went above and beyond for our patients, and we truly appreciate all your hard work and dedication to us over the years." The Alabama Power Foundation awarded nearly $60,000 in Gateway grants to support economic development and tourism in 29 communities through grants of up to $2,500. Citronelle will purchase welcome signs to greet visitors and promote city assets. Opelika will install directional signs to direct visitors to different areas of downtown. Cities receiving grants were Abbeville, Ashford, Citronelle, Enterprise, Excel, Fairfield, Friends of Downtown Jasper, Fulton, Gainesville, Irondale, Jasper, Marion, New Site, Northport, Oneonta, Opelika, Phenix City, Pickensville, Rockford, Saraland, Sipsey, Sylacauga, Talladega, Thomaston, Thomasville, Valley Grande, Vina, West Jefferson and Winfield. Alabama Power and Mercedes Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) received approval from the Alabama Public Service Commission for the proposed 80-megawatt Letohatchee Solar Project in Lowndes County. Under the 15-year contract, MBUSI will receive all the renewable energy credits (RECs) from the facility, which will cover a significant portion of the electric needs for its Vance and Bibb County campuses. The project is expected to create about 300 construction jobs while generating more than $9 million in tax revenues for Lowndes County over the life of the project. Commercial operation is expected to begin in March 2024. Year in Review 700 GOOD ROOTS GRANTS

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