POWERGRAMS

20 Russell Corporation is the elephant in every Alexander City living room. The company founded by Benjamin Russell in 1902 was the lifeblood of Alex City for all of the 20th century. The high school was named for the founder. The hospital was named for the family. Virtually every local citizen or their friends and family worked for Russell. The clothing manufacturer eventually employed 15,000 and was atop the athletic uniform universe at the start of the 21st century. But as the new millennium marched on, financial troubles seized the major benefactor of Tallapoosa County's biggest town. Russell's local employment plummeted from more than 7,000 to near zero as sales hit rock bottom and the many plant buildings spread from one end of Alex City to the other – and beyond – were shuttered. It was perhaps the biggest loss of jobs in state history for a small town. "The big story is how the town survived and prospered after the fall of its biggest industry, Russell, and the loss of the Russell family's humanitarian efforts," said award- winning historian Leah Rawls Atkins. "The most important thing is how the townspeople rallied after the closing of Russell Mills." While nearly every conversation seems to eventually circle back to Russell, words are most often spoken in an appreciative rather than vindictive tone. Residents realize that the town would never have reached the heights it has without Russell. Even more evident these days is a growing civic pride in overcoming such a huge economic and social loss. Jake Mixon was offered a chance to transfer to Bowling Green, Ky., after Fruit of the Loom bought out what was left of Russell a decade ago. But he had lived his entire life in Alex City. He liked the people. He wanted to raise his family in a small town where he could take his kids hunting and fishing. He liked knowing folks "had his back" when the going got tough. "People are resilient here," Mixon said. "We're trying to keep it alive and going, and we're doing a pretty good job of it." Mixon decided to go into the restaurant business amidst the revival of the four-block old downtown. Six years ago, he opened Jake's on Broad Street, renovating a closed clothing store he shopped in as a child. Jake's has become a popular place for lunch and dinner, as well as an after-hours watering hole. The Alexander City Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 but recent efforts are bringing the renovations to a new level. There's Carlisle Drugs, a corner drug store that doesn't fill prescriptions but boasts a soda fountain behind displays of fashion apparel, candles and potpourri. The 102-year-old establishment has found new customers with the time-honored combo of counter and stools where soft drinks and snacks are now offered. Customer Service Representative Jill Worthy keeps a running tab at Carlisle's so her 12-year-old son, Hunter, can walk in after a long day at Alexander City Middle School. She enjoys the safety of the situation but also likes paying up at the end of each month. Tina Boyd has worked in the Alex City Business Office for 17 years, which is 10 fewer than Laurie Carter and two more than Worthy, her fellow customer service reps. Their more than half-century of combined service is an extra benefit to the many locals who pay their bills in person. "They don't want to talk to the call center, they want to come in and talk," said Boyd. "We have different customers who come in and will want to see their favorite. They'll wait in line just to see one of us even when the others aren't busy." Each of the women makes her home in Alex City. They enjoy being near Lake Martin and are proud it came into being because of Alabama Power Co. They like Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, which also has its roots in a land donation from their company. They appreciate their town being centrally located and near bigger cities if a special need arises. After Russell ALEXANDER CITY OVERCOMING LOSS OF LONGTIME LIFEBLOOD By Chuck Chandler Worthy, Carter, Boyd in local office.

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