Woodworking center produces products for governor

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
Each time Gov. Bob Riley welcomes a new industry to the state of Alabama, there is a small piece of Franklin County there.
The Alabama Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology on the Northwest-Shoals Community College Phil Campbell campus has been working to produce state seals for the governor to present to new businesses.
Jimmy Glasgow, director of the center, said the program began working on the seals for the Alabama Development Office after a south Alabama plant closed late last year. When no other business stepped in to build the seals, Glasgow offered to help.
"We totally changed it from the way it used to be," Glasgow said. "They were being made from crushed pecan hulls. We started making them out of wood."
The center built several new state seals and delivered them to the Alabama Development Office. The ADO then chose a couple that were sent to the governor's office for his approval.
Riley presents the seals to CEOs of companies who locate in Alabama.
The center has recently designed a wooden case that is used to transport the seals to different locations. Students from the Franklin County Career Tech center have worked with instructor Rick Graben to create three new carrying cases.
The seals are now part of welcoming all new businesses to the state.