POWERGRAMS

groups. Today, six river systems in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle are cleaned each year with the help of some 10,000 volunteers. A culture of safety developed throughout the company with a commitment to the Target Zero program. Management and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers cooperated to put a greater emphasis on working carefully and safely and looking after friends and co- workers. As the safety program expanded, management and the Brotherhood grew closer. Target Zero was successful: The number of work-related accidents plummeted. Families of Alabama Power were also involved in the safety program. Alabama Power's economic development commitment, a first for an Alabama corporation when it began in 1920, remained a priority. It was strengthened in the recent decade, along with a parallel program of strong community development. The commitment to bring new jobs to Alabama supported the belief of founders Mitchell and Martin that Alabama Power's prosperity depended upon the growth of Alabama. In fact, the recruitment of Mercedes-Benz in 1993, an economic development success that Alabama Power was deeply involved with, changed the business climate in the state in revolutionary ways. Crosswhite noted that with Alabama Power's help and support, the state has developed an industrial base with an international presence including plants such as Hyundai (South Korean), Honda (Japanese), Airbus (French) and ThyssenKrupp (German), which constructed a $5 billion plant to make steel north of Mobile. These plants required technically savvy workers, a challenge that was accepted by the state's technical, junior college and university faculties. Alabama Power continued during the past decade to encourage and expand its commitment to a diverse workforce. The company initiated programs that supported minority groups and helped diverse employees grow and advance their careers. Health and wellness programs were developed. Incentives were offered to those who followed through with an appointment to see their physician for an annual physical. Flu shots were offered every fall. The decade was marred by Alabama's continuing weather disasters. The destruction of Enterprise High School by a tornado on March 1, 2007 led the Alabama Power Foundation to respond with a $25,000 grant to the school. The company strengthened its Family Services department so stronger and quicker assistance could be provided to employees who were victims of storm damage. Spring and summer of 2007 brought a drought described as "bad as it's ever been," with Alabama Power lakes so low normal generation was not possible. The heaviest storm damage of the decade came to Alabama from a series of tornadoes that cut several wide swaths from west to northeast across the state on the early morning and evening hours of April 27, 2011. The state death total was 247. Transmission and distribution lines were down everywhere. Fallen trees blocked roads, and many houses, schools, churches and other structures were destroyed to 4 HISTORY A decade after her award-winning book was published, author Atkins pens addendum to Alabama Power history Renew Our Rivers continued expanding through past decade. April 2011 tornadoes were most damaging in state history.

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