BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Oct. 19, 2006 - Two grants from the Alabama Power Foundation helped pave the way for what local leaders hope will be the construction of 12 new homes annually by Habitat for Humanity in Hale County.

The first grant, for $1,000, was used by participants in the 2005 class of Leadership Hale to apply for a local Habitat for Humanity chapter. A more recent $10,000 grant helped provide required funding to start the chapter.

So far this year, volunteers in Hale County have completed one Habitat house and are finishing work on a second. A third house is slated to be built before year’s end, which will qualify Habitat for Humanity Hale County Inc. for a Habitat grant to hire three employees. The chapter plans to build 12 houses each year starting in 2007.

“It’s amazing what the initial $1,000 from the Alabama Power Foundation did in getting this off the ground,” said Housing Resource Center Director Pam Dorr, who also serves as volunteer director of the local Habitat. She said the new chapter provides “a sustainable way for the community to come together and help each other.”

 “This is the kind of story our company likes to see,” said Don Ballard, manager of Alabama Power’s Greensboro Office. “We want communities in our service area to prosper and enjoy a high quality of life. We help accomplish these goals through grants from the Alabama Power Foundation.”

The first Hale County Habitat house, finished this past summer in Greensboro, was largely built by students from DESIGNhabitat 2, a partnership between Auburn University’s School of Architecture and the Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates. The house combines a pre-built modular home with components built on-site. The second Habitat house, also in Greensboro, is almost finished.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in Americus, Ga., in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

The Alabama Power Foundation works to improve the quality of life of Alabamians and strengthens the communities in which they live. Since 1990, the foundation has granted more than $90 million 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. The company is celebrating its 100^th anniversary in 2006. Learn more about Alabama Power at www.alabamapower.com.

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