OPINION:
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PAGE 5 These are nowhere close to ‘normal times.’
ACTS honors longtime employee Newman.
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PAGE 3 LOCAL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, PAGE 2.
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Warehouse project to fuel GKN growth strategic alliance that links the county’s primary economic development agency with key community governments to create a single entity to advance industrial projects. “GKN is proud of our industrial partnership with Elmore County,” said Matt Burke, vice president and general manager of the GKN Aerospace Tallassee facility. “This project will allow us to advance the capability of our facility and foster our relationship in the community.” Construction of the warehouse facility is expected to
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
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A $700,000 warehouse facility that will permit the county’s largest manufacturer, GKN Aerospace, to open up critical manufacturing floor space for new projects.
A new economic development-focused alliance in Elmore County is funding the construction of a $700,000 warehouse facility that will permit the county’s largest manufacturer, GKN Aerospace, to open up critical manufacturing floor space for new projects. The 20,000-square-foot storage depot in Tallassee is the first project launched by the Elmore County Industrial Development Authority, a
Commissioners talk high-speed internet access
See GNK • Page 3
Roby keeps promise with Healthcare Act
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
The Elmore County Commission held a short but informative meeting, and, with little on the agenda, an important topic arose by way of the commissioner’s reports where an at-length discussion was held on the state of the county’s Internet service. “This is really and truly an economic development issue,” County Commissioner Bart Mercer said at one point during his report. The talks seemed intended to not only inform residents of the commission’s efforts regarding access to high speed Internet service, but also to spell out what the nature of the relationship was between Internet service providers and the county commission. The topic of Internet service has circulated See INTERNET • Page 11
take around 120 days. “We are excited to have a new, forward-thinking commission that truly understands economic development and the impact that companies like GKN make on the county,” said Leisa Finley, executive director of the Elmore County Economic Development Authority. “We are proud to have GKN as a corporate partner and look forward to assisting them by utilizing the resources the new IDA offers.” Finley said the storage
STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Police Chief Matt Higgins awards Lieutenant Chris Owenby with the Officer of the Quarter award during Thursday’s Blue Jean Ball at the Benton Barn in east Tallassee. The Tallassee Community Development Corporation awarded the department $40,000 to pay for a citywide surveillance system.
SHOW OF SUPPORT Community turns out in force for TPD Blue Jean Ball By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
It’s no secret that Tallassee has a giving community. If there is a need, the community always comes together to meet the demand. This time, however, the people of Tallassee have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Together, community members and businesses owners donated
over $40,000 to the Tallassee Police Department through the Blue Jean Ball fundraiser. The fundraiser was the brainchild of Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock and the newly appointed chief of police, Matt Higgins. The two were brainstorming ideas about funding a citywide surveillance
U.S. Representative Martha Roby applauded House passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and said Republicans are delivering on their promise to repeal and replace Obamacare. “For seven years I have promised my constituents that I would repeal and replace Obamacare. A month ago I sat in the Oval Office and told the President of the United States that I was with him and that I would help get this Obamacare repeal bill through the House of Representatives. Today we were finally able to deliver on that promise in a meaningful way,” Roby said. “Obamacare is crumbling as we speak. Premiums are skyrocketing, deductibles are through the roof and people are being hurt because they can’t afford care. That’s why we are repealing this failed law and replacing it with a patient-centered system that lowers costs, increases choices and isn’t run by the government.” Passing the American Health Care Act is the first of a three-step plan by Republicans in Congress and the Trump
See BALL • Page 7
See ROBY • Page 3
Community Foundation awards $69K in grants STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
On Tuesday, May 2 the Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF) distributed $69,726 to nonprofits working in the areas of food, medical and family support who provide services in Autauga, Elmore, Montgomery, Macon and Lowndes counties. The presentation took place at the Mary Ellen’s Hearth at Nellie Burge Community.
CACF Community Trust Grants awarded $15,0000 to the Family Sunshine Center to provide one-year of individual counseling and emotional support to child victims of physical and/or emotional abuse through the Family Sunshine Center Counseling Center. CACF Community Trust also awarded grant monies to area food pantries. CACF awarded $5,500 to the City of St. Jude to purchase
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See GRANTS • Page 7
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Burton Ward, CACF President, gives Lee Greer, CFO Community Hospital, with a check for $1000 from the Elmore County Community Foundation on May 3 to further support the hospital’s Meals on Wheels program.
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three 23 cubic feet commercial refrigerators and two 23 cubic feet commercial freezers for The City of St. Jude food pantry and soup kitchen. The organization also awarded $4,500 to the Montgomery Area Council on Aging (MACOA) for the MACOA’s Frozen Food Program. This program will provide 150 frozen meals a month for a full calendar year. In addition,
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