Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The industrial development board met for their regularly scheduled meeting Thursday afternoon where the board honored former chairman of the board Lisa Miller for her dedicated service on the board for over 20 years.
Miller has served on the IDB in various capacities since 1997 and she also serves as the Chairman for the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce.
“They’ll all serve the city well and I’m leaving it in very capable hands,” Miller said in a previous interview with EA News.
Special guest speaker Patricia Groff, a workforce instructor with the Prattville Family Support Center addressed the board Thursday afternoon highlighting the services the center offers for working individuals and individuals within the industrial sector.
“We’re a non-profit here in Prattville and I think generally we’re known for our well-established GED program. But on top of that we also have general computer knowledge classes that may benefit individuals. With entry level positions, I think there’s an importance to understand some of what transpires within industry manufacturing. Whether that be in a warehouse or on the floor,” Groff said.
On top of general computer knowledge classes, the support center offers English as a Second Language for Non-English speakers, certification programs and much more.
Groff stated the support center offers in person training and even offers classes that come right to the employers. The Family Support Center is in downtown Prattville at, 113 W Main St Prattville, and their website lists more details on programs and services offered, Family Support Center (acfsc.org).
“Workforce development is key,” Chairman of the board Bo Evans said regarding the services the support center provides.
The board approved the minutes from January’s meeting and went over the finances of the board.
Evans confirmed that the industry appreciation night has been rescheduled “for some time in June,” Evans said. The appreciation night has been rescheduled due to health reasons of individuals on the committee, and details will be released at a later date.
Prattville’s Economic Developer Byrant Whaley gave a report to the board, stating that new things and exciting things are in the works for Prattville.
“We’re doing well with recruitment; we’re doing well with existing industries and we’re going to be helping small businesses. We’re trying to help all three facets and all three with economic development,” Whaley said.
