TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - July 12, 2007 – A $150,000 contribution from the Alabama Power Foundation will help build a new cancer treatment center in Tuscaloosa.

Construction is under way on a two-story, 93,000-square-foot facility at DCH Regional Medical Center. The existing cancer treatment center was designed 20 years ago to accommodate 35,000 patient visits each year. Estimates show by the end of 2007, patient visits will climb to 36,000.

“This contribution represents a lead gift in our campaign for a new, state-of-the-art cancer treatment center,” said Jim Harrison III, chairman of the DCH Foundation.   “For me, the Alabama Power Foundation has always been an outstanding champion of our community and a model of corporate leadership and civic involvement.

“For as long as I can remember, Alabama Power has been an agent for good and positive change in our state,” said Harrison, who is also chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.  “I consider them one of the corporate guardians of our community.”
The new DCH Cancer Treatment Center is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008.

“We are excited about a new cancer center to serve the citizens of Tuscaloosa and West Alabama,” said Bill Johnson, president of the Alabama Power Foundation. “It is our mission to contribute to worthy causes such as this that can have a profound effect on the quality of life in this region of our state.”

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 $90 million in grants to worthy projects across Alabama. Details about the foundation are available at www.alabamapowerfoundation.com.

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.