Latest news with #SarahClifton
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Alabama is one of the best places in the U.S. for a summer road trip, new study finds
The Yellowhammer state is one of the best states for a road trip, a new study shows. Dunhill Travel Deals — an organization that provides free resources for travelers and information on travel deals, airfare, cruise, hotel, and vacation package discounts — commissioned a study that surveyed the contiguous United States on several factors to assess which states had the best opportunities for a summer road trip vacation. Categories considered include average hotel nightly rate, average gas price, cost of everyday expenses, annual National Park Service visits and total National Park Service sites, arts, entertainment and recreation density, and share of roads in good condition. Each category is weighed by importance, with average gas and hotel prices being the most influential in the composite scores. Alabama overall ranked sixth out of the lower 48 states, earning a composite score of 84.81. More: Buc-ee's in Alabama: Here's every location and what makes each one unique Hotel nightly rates in Alabama average out to $132 and gas clocks in at an average of $2.74 per gallon. The Yellowhammer state has the 10th lowest nightly hotel rate in the country and the fifth lowest gas prices, as well as charges 10% less for everyday expenses. As far as the experience of visiting Alabama goes, the state has several sites that are owned by the National Park Service, including Little River Canyon National Preserve, part of the Natchez Trace Parkway, Russell Cave National Monument, the Tuskegee Institute, the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, and more. Additionally, the study said Alabama has 2.7 arts and recreation businesses per 10,000 residents, giving travelers and Alabamians a significant amount to do. States ranking above Alabama in the top five include Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma. The study cited the reason for this is that prices are generally lower overall across the Southern and Central United States, as well as the existence of many activities — particularly in the form of arts and recreation businesses — outside of National Parks that attract visitors. More: Southern Living says this is Alabama's prettiest town and you've probably driven right past it Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: AL is one of the best states for a summer road trip, new study finds
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Developer breaks ground on new neighborhood in east Montgomery
A new residential community is coming to Montgomery early next year. The new community, called Hawthorne, will be located off of Atlanta Highway, adjacent to the Arrowhead neighborhood. Hawthorne's first phase of construction will feature 250 wooded home sites across 50-, 60-, and 70-foot lots. Homes will range from 1,500 to 2,800 square feet and feature floor plans by the 'nationally recognized' BSB Design. The neighborhood will also have a walking trail and, in the future, high-end townhomes. The plan is to eventually expand the neighborhood to about 400 homes total. The aim of the neighborhood is to create a high-quality, 'timeless living' feel, said a spokesperson for Alabama-based Lowder New Homes, which is self-described as Alabama's leading new home builder with a reputation for 'attention to detail.' Lowder New Homes was founded in 1956 — with this year marking their 70th year in business. The company has built communities across central Alabama, including Auburn, Opelika, Prattville, Lake Martin, Pike Road and five other neighborhoods in Montgomery. Construction on the first homes is set to start in late 2025, with construction projected to wrap around March 2026. Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: New neighborhood coming to Montgomery in early 2026
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama-based processing plant lays off over 100, triggers legal investigation
Over a hundred Alabama plant workers have recently found themselves out of a job after a round of mass layoffs. AlaTrade Foods, a poultry processing company that focuses on deboning, trimming and sorting chicken, was founded in 2000. The company operates three plant locations in Alabama, in Albertville, Boaz and Phenix City. AlaTrade Foods, according to the company itself, processes 400 million pounds of chicken annually and is the largest 100% employee-owned company based in Alabama. According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, the Phenix City location laid off 165 employees, effective March 27. The reason for the layoff — as well as opportunities and resources for employees affected by the layoff — are unclear, as AlaTrade Foods has not responded to requests for comment. More: Alabama manufacturing plant to end operations after almost 50 years and lay off 200 The WARN act, a federal law passed in 1988, requires companies to notify workers in writing before mass layoffs. Specifically, companies with over 100 employees are required to provide a 60-day notice of significant layoffs or plant closings to allow workers to properly accommodate for the loss of work. The WARN notice documenting the AlaTrade Foods layoff, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce, is dated March 28, one day after the layoff was in effect. AlaTrade Foods' recent round of layoffs at its Phenix City location has sparked some investigation into their compliance with these policies. Strauss Borelli, a class action lawsuit firm, in a post dated March 31, announced that their firm is investigating a possible breach of WARN notice policies in this particular incident, noting that based on the law, they "believe AlaTrade Foods employees may be entitled to sixty days of severance pay and benefits." AlaTrade Foods has not responded to requests for comment about the timing of the WARN Act notification. Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Chicken processing plant lays off over 100 in Alabama
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Alabama manufacturing plant to end operations after almost 50 years and lay off 200
A nearly 50-year-old manufacturing plant in Alabama will be shutting down its operations in the coming month. Grede LLC, a metal casting company that manufactures automotive, commercial truck, and industrial parts, internally announced to its 220-member workforce in February that their operations at their Brewton, Alabama will be closing. A spokesperson for the company said that their operations in Brewton, which began in 1976, are closing because the facility hasn't been able to match its 'pre-COVID volumes.' All manufacturing operations are expected to end by the year's end, but a spokesperson for Grede said the facility will remain open for storage purposes. More: Justice Department ends investigation into rampant sewage problems in Lowndes County Though employees were notified in February of the company's plans, the WARN notice — postings required by federal law to notify workers before mass layoffs and plant closures — documenting the intent to close is dated April 1, effective May 22, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce. The WARN act requires companies with over 100 employees to post these notices 60 days in advance of action, but this notice predates the closure's intended date by only 52 days. Matt Hladki, chief administrative officer of Grede, said that the company sent the WARN notice related to the impending close of operations to the State of Alabama, Brewton mayor, and United Steelworkers on March 20, which would meet the federal requirements. The company confirmed that workers affected have been offered opportunities to transfer to other sites Grede operates or severance packages if they wish to leave the company. Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama manufacturing plant shutters operations after almost 50 years
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama plastic production plant to close, lay off over 100
Yet another Alabama production plant has announced its intent to close its doors. Berry Global Inc., a plastic manufacturing company that, as per their self-description on their website, creates 'packaging solutions,' was founded in 1967 and currently operates hundreds of global locations. The company operates two Alabama locations — a plant in Montgomery and a soon-to-be-closed plant in Lanett, which is almost 70 miles east of Montgomery, near the Georgia state line. According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, the Lanett location intends to lay off 112 employees, effective July 1. More: Alabama-based processing plant lays off over 100, triggers legal investigation The company explained in a statement to the Advertiser that its production from the Lanett facility 'will be integrated into existing facilities' in preparation for the closure. The company did not elaborate on a reason for the closure, though a spokesperson for the company did allude to relocation of affected staff to assist with the transition. 'We are grateful for our Lanett employees' service and dedication and will assist them in exploring other opportunities within our organization and the Lanett community,' a spokesperson for the company said. More: Alabama manufacturing plant to end operations after almost 50 years and lay off 200 However, this isn't the first time executive action from Berry Global has affected its Alabama staff. Originally, the company operated two side-by-side plants on Montgomery's Gunter Park Drive, but in 2019, it closed one of the plants and laid off 65 employees on account of declining sales of sandwich food bags. Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama plastic production plant to close, lay off over 100 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
