Business

Florida’s Dec. unemployment rate lowest since April 2009; Liberty Co. 2nd in state

January 27, 2012

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December 2011 was 9.9 percent, the lowest since April 2009 when the rate was 9.7 percent. This represented 913,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,233,000. The state’s unemployment rate was down 0.1 percentage point from November 2011 and was 2.1 percentage points lower that the December 2010 rate of 12.0 percent. The US unemployment rate was 835 percent in December. Florida’s seasonally adjusted total nonagricultural employment in December 2011 was 7,291,500 and increase of 7,300 jobs from November 2011. The number of jobs in the state was up 113,900 over the...

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Company planning to build five solar farms in Liberty County

January 20, 2012
Company planning to build five solar farms in Liberty County

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor Liberty County’s economic future just got a little brighter with the news that a Melbourne-based company plans to build five 200-acre solar farms here. National Solar Power CEO James Scrivener made the announcement at Monday night’s Liberty County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting and banquet in Bristol. Scrivener said the plan outlined for Liberty County would create 140 construction jobs for a 2 1/2 to three year period and then establish 20 to 25 full time positions. “We consider ourselves farmers of a sort,” he told chamber members. “We’re going to build these assets...

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National Solar Power CEO to speak at Liberty Chamber banquet

January 6, 2012
National Solar Power CEO to speak at Liberty Chamber banquet

James Scrivener, CEO of National Solar Power, will be the guest speaker at the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet on Monday, Jan. 16. The banquet, which will be followed by the general membership meeting, will begin at 7 p.m. and is being held at Veterans Memorial Park Civic Center in Bristol. “National Solar Power recently decided to build a world-class solar facility in Gadsden County that will have a resounding impact on our region. I am confident that you will find his presentation not only interesting but also inspiring for the future of our local economy,” Chamber...

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Ministry Center marks second year of operation; thrift shop funds food pantry for families in need

November 28, 2011
Ministry Center marks second year of operation; thrift shop funds food pantry for families in need

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor The Calhoun Liberty Ministry Center celebrated its second anniversary Nov. 17 after two years of assisting needy families with food, clothing and household items through sales in its growing thrift shop along with donations from the community. Even after two years in operation, the shop is still full of surprises.  “There aren’t many things we haven’t had,” said thrift shop manager Janice Malone. There are racks and racks of clothing including many name brand items.  Malone points out customers have picked up pairs of Tommy Hilfiger jeans for just four or five dollars each. ...

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Subway now open in Bristol

October 21, 2011
Subway now open in Bristol

Liberty is the last county in the state to get a Subway franchise     by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor Employees were busy welcoming customers, making sandwiches and taking fresh-baked cookies out of the oven after the doors to the new Subway restaurant on SR 20 in Bristol officially opened Oct. 12. The business is owned by Steve Bailey and his wife, Kim. The couple established the area’s first Subway in Blountstown in 1996. Liberty County is the last county in the state to get a Subway franchise, according to Bailey. He said they have felt welcome, commenting, “The...

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Hy Temp Gas celebrates store reopening with ribbon cutting

October 7, 2011
Hy Temp Gas celebrates store reopening with ribbon cutting

The Blountstown business formerly known as Adams LP Gas has been sold and has reopened under the new name of Hy Temp Gas, and is now being operated by South Alabama Gas. Visitors at Friday’s grand opening met the new staff and got a look at the refurbished appliance showroom (below left) featuring some one-of-a-kind buys and many new and unique items. Located at 20791 Central Avenue East in Blountstown, the business is open Monday thru Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Taking part in Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was Blountstown Branch Supervisor Tammy Floyd and Cindy Myers, supervisor...

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Florida’s Gadsden County, “Big Bend” Region Win Southeast’s Largest Solar Farm Project

September 27, 2011

  ~National Solar Power announces $1.5 billion 400 MW project to boost jobs, economy~   Tallahassee – National Solar Power announced on Monday, Sept. 26 the company will build the Southeast’s largest solar farm in Gadsden County, Florida – generating hundreds of new jobs and pouring $1.5 billion in economic investment into the region.   “Gadsden County was chosen for this significant project for many reasons, including its great year-round climate, strong community leadership, incredibly inviting regional support and the strong potential for future economic growth,” said James Scrivener, CEO of National Solar Power.   Along with the large...

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Members vote 19-10 to merge Altha Farmers Co-op with Agri-AFC in Tuesday night meeting

September 23, 2011

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor Just a handful of people decided the fate of one of the area’s biggest businesses when a vote was taken Tuesday night to determine if Altha Farmers Co-op should merge with Agri-AFC, a subsidiary of Alabama Farmers Cooperative. Approximately 35 people gathered at the Altha Community Center, where they listened to explanations about the company’s ailing financial status and discussed how it should be handled. By the end of the one hour meeting, members voted 19-10 to follow the co-op board’s recommendation to approve a restructuring plan with Agri-AFC. Earlier in the meeting, James...

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Haney Video Games opens in Blountstown

September 17, 2011
Haney Video Games opens in Blountstown

Haney Video is the newest business to open in Blountstown. Owned and operated by Sherrie and Able Haney of Bristol, the shop is located in a room of the cabin at McMillan Trees & Shrubs. The business offers new and pre-owned games as well as sells and trades gaming systems and accessories. Shown above at Saturday’s grand opening, from left: Jacob Reed and his little brother, Samuel, Allen Holbert, Juston Burdick, Samantha Reed and co-owner Sherrie Haney at the cash register. DANIEL WILLIAMS PHOTO  

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United Way kicks off fundraising campaign with some help from Calhoun Correctional

September 7, 2011
United Way kicks off fundraising campaign with some help from Calhoun Correctional

A group of inmates at Calhoun Correctional Institution helped the United Way begin this year’s drive by volunteering to build the large signs that chart their progress, saving the organization at least $10,000. Under the direction of Major Mark Barber, the inmates gathered supplies, built and painted 10 giant thermometers that will be prominently displayed in four counties, with two in Calhoun County, two in Holmes County and three each in Washington County and Jackson County. Barber said they decided to build the signs after learning how much it would cost to get them done at a graphics company....

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