Aliant Bank is currently rebranding and will be installing new signage for its rebranding tomorrow at its Zelda Road Branch, located at 2740 Zelda Road.  The new signs will go up starting at 8:00 a.m.

Aliant Bank is unveiling a new brand that emphasizes its combination of a 110-year-plus tradition in Alabama and modern, high-touch service.  The bank’s current logo was designed in 1984 when the Aliant name was created, and bank’s leadership felt it was time to refresh the look.

The new brand will emphasize the ways Aliant helps its customers in Alabama, driven by local decision-making and drawing from the philosophy of bank founder Benjamin Russell, who stressed the importance of "innovation and hard work."

Source:  Bayview Public Relations

The Alabama Legislature passed House Bill 518 on Wednesday, creating The Alabama Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Program. The grants program will be administered by The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and the Center for Alternative Fuels, under Commissioner John McMillan.  This legislation was the developed by the Senate Oversight Committee on Energy, and sponsored by Representative Greg Wren and Senator Cam Ward.

“I am proud to have sponsored this job creating legislation,” Senate Sponsor Cam Ward said. “This is the result of the hard work of the Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy, and it represents the good that comes when we put our heads together with industry leaders to develop legislation that will allow Alabama to be on the leading edge of 21st Century energy development jobs.”

This bill also creates a commission that will have grant making authority.

Alabama agriculture exports, now at $1 billion, must double in the next decade if we are to keep up with world food demand and remain competitive in the international marketplace, according to Commissioner John McMillan of the state Department of Agriculture & Industries.

Alabama farmers and agribusinesses must adopt what McMillan calls a "global approach" to agriculture production.  To this end, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries on May 15 will hold a one-day conference for farmers and agribusinesses to provide insights on international trade and how to export products to foreign markets.

"Exports mean jobs and greater opportunity for Alabamians. Our competitors, especially Canada, have in recent years moved aggressively into international markets and taken a major position in agricultural exports," McMillan said.