This summer, Alabama Power celebrates the 50^th anniversary of Plant Greene County. Since 1965, the plant and its employees have served West Alabama with a civic minded spirit that has left an indelible mark on the community.

During those 50 years, the plant has been a source of many things: employment, economic growth, and cherished memories.

Most of these memories shared over the years are stories that revolve around the camaraderie between coworkers. One employee recalls the office pranks. Another remembers friendships formed between the co-ops during the summer. Others have fond memories of the many service projects employees have participated in over the years. For each one of these stories, there are countless more.

The plant at Greene County has long provided the perfect setting for such stories. But for a place that has been the backdrop for so many memorable stories for others, it certainly has a special story all its own.

From the beginning, the communities of West Alabama have embraced and supported the plant.

As Alabama Power experienced a steady growth throughout the first half of the 20th century, load capacity remained in demand as industrial and economic development continued to expand. Alabama Power had to find a way to accommodate this growth.

In 1962, the community rallied behind Alabama Power to make the plant a reality. One September morning, county and city officials, businessmen, educators, community activists and many others appeared before the Alabama Public Service Commission to urge members to approve a proposal for Alabama Power to build the plant in Greene County.

Community members testifying before the PSC knew industrial growth was on its way to rural west Alabama and a power plant to support this growth was just what it needed.

By October of that same year, the Public Service Commission granted Alabama Power permission to build a steam plant in Greene County.

Oscar McLamb was a certified welder with the contracting company hired for the construction of the plant.

“I started working there before there was a plant,” said McLamb. “It was hard work but we enjoyed our job and our time there.”

After three years of construction, the first unit began its commercial operation on June 11, 1965 with a generating capacity of 250 megawatts, enough to serve the needs of 150,000-200,000 homes.

Once Greene County was built, McLamb got a job at Alabama Power working as a welder at the plant, where he would remain working for 23 years. Now 91 and retired, McLamb enjoys telling the story of how he ended up applying for that the job in 1965.

“My wife saw there was a job opening at Alabama Power and told me it would be a mistake if I didn’t apply,” recalled McLamb. “I worked for contractors for years before that and if it wasn’t for her, I would have never applied for that job. I knew I had to take it and I’m so glad I did.”

McLamb remembers the family-like atmosphere at the plant.

“We were all very close. I remember having very good leaders at the plant and great foremen,” said McLamb. “I still see a lot of the people I worked with back then.”

Among those he used to work with is Barbara Cannon, the first female to work at Greene County.

“It was very scary starting out being the only woman,” said Cannon. “But it became easier every day. We were like family and a little over a year later, we hired another woman.”

Cannon recently celebrated her retirement from the Company after 38 years at the plant. She said a lot has changed since her first day back in 1977.

“Certainly there have been many changes,” said Cannon. “The technology was always something we had to get used to. It seemed like it was constantly changing.”

Change: The one constant

Like technology, Greene County continued to evolve.

A second unit was added shortly after in July 1966 and the number of employees continued to increase. Before long, the plant was a major source of employment for the areas surrounding Demopolis.

Now, Greene County has 11 generating units with a nameplate capacity of 1,200 megawatts, quite an increase from where it began in 1965.

While there have been many changes throughout the 50 years at Greene County, one thing remains unchanged: the passion employees have for serving the community.

“Plant Greene County has served our customers well over the last half century. In addition to its outstanding performance, the plant has established a legacy of exceptional community service,” said Riley Wells, plant manager. “Our communities have benefited tremendously from our employees’ leadership and support of countless civic and charitable organizations and events.”

Through APSO projects, Renew Our Rivers cleanups, Christmas on the River activities, and a seemingly endless list of civic events, employees continue to give back to the community that has been home to the plant for so long.

“Greene County has provided affordable, reliable electricity to our customers for over 50 years,” said Jim Heilbron, Senior Vice President and Senior Production Officer. “In addition, the employees of Greene County have maintained a prominent role in the West Alabama community. Serving our customers and supporting the community clearly demonstrate that Greene County was ‘developed for the service of Alabama.’”

A formal anniversary celebration will take place in August at Greene County. Once again, the community will rally around the plant and celebrate the many achievements over the past 50 years.