SLOCOMB, Ala. - Nov. 29, 2007 - A $500 grant from the Alabama Power Foundation is helping transform a former dance hall into a new public library in the Wiregrass town of Slocomb.

Housed in the Barracks building on North Washington Street since 1988, the Slocomb Public Library ran into trouble when mold was discovered, forcing it to close in July. Slocomb bought another building three blocks away on South Dalton Street for a replacement, but the aged structure needs major renovations.

“We’ve had to tear down some walls and hang drywall,” said Lorri Bickers, chairwoman of the Slocomb library board. “It had outdated carpet from the days it was a dance hall. We’re also redoing carpets.”

While some work is being done by volunteers, the effort received a needed boost, thanks to the Alabama Power Foundation grant.

“We’re a small town with not much money,” Bickers said. “The $500 will make a big impact. It definitely could buy all the paint. We do appreciate this so much from the Alabama Power Foundation. Their giving inspires others to give.”

Renovations should be finished by early December. The library serves an estimated 1,500 patrons a year from Slocomb and neighboring communities in Geneva County, Bickers said.

“Helping renovate this building helps all our citizens, since a library plays such a vital role in communities of all sizes,” said Boyce Hood, manager of Alabama Power’s Slocomb Office. “We take pride in serving our community, and we’re certainly glad to be a part of this effort.”

The Alabama Power Foundation works to improve the quality of life of Alabamians and strengthen the communities in which they live. Since 1990, the foundation has provided more than $100 million in grants to worthy projects across Alabama. Details about the foundation are available at www.alabamapowerfoundation.com.

More information on the town of Slocomb is available at www.alaweb.com/~slocombcity.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), provides reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state. Learn more about Alabama Power at www.alabamapower.com.
 

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Media Contact: Linda Brannon, 1-334-616-4359 or lkbranno@southernco.com