6-10-2009 -- Celebrate Alabama salutes Auburn for being one the 10 best places to live in the United States, according to a ranking released by U.S. News & World Report magazine. U.S. News called Auburn a "diamond" with "mild winters and hot summers," and said Auburn University drives the culture and the economy. "...the city offers no shortage of outdoor recreation opportunities," the magazine said.

3-25-2009 -- Auburn is #1 in projected job growth on Forbes list for Best Small Places for Business and Careers.

3-25-2009 -- Alabama Food Festivals offer tastes of Alabama all year long and two of the next three are happening in Celebrate Alabama's home towns. Mar. 27-28 brings Boda Getta BBQ in Auburn where
professional and amateur barbecue teams face off in this inaugural event at Auburn University’s Ag Heritage Park. This is a Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event and a stop on Alabama’s Barbecue Trail. Fri., 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.  www.bodagettabbq.com.
 
Next up is The Tracks Food and Wine Event, May 1, in Opelika. This outdoor wine tasting event is held in the heart of downtown Opelika along historic Railroad Avenue. Area restaurants offer a selection of dinner entrees with more 20 eclectic wines for sampling. Live music sets the backdrop for a delightful spring evening while the Mainstreet merchants remain open for shopping. Fri., 6 p.m.-11 p.m. 334-737-1474, www.onthetracks.org

3-12-2009 -- Governor Bob Riley has outlined the state's strategy to continue growing the economy through exports. Since the launch of Export Alabama in 2004, 17 trade missions to 19 countries have taken place. Forty trade agreements were reached during those trade missions resulting in more than $64 million in expected sales from Alabama companies and the creation of almost 1,000 jobs. More than 3,000 businesses in Alabama sell their products and services overseas. These businesses create and sustain more than 100,000 jobs in Alabama.Alabama has seen remarkable growth in exports over the past few years. The value of Alabama exports has risen from $8.3 billion in 2003 to $16 billion last year.

3-7-2009 -- Alabama's Civil Rights Trail was featured this month in The Wall Street Journal. The trail has gained tremendous popularity recently, which the Journal attributes in part to President Obama's election. Alabama was and is considered ground zero. Three churches have been nominated for designation as Unesco World Heritage sites. Several tour operators now offer civil rights-themed itineraries. In October, the National Park Service opened the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, honoring the first black Air Force cadets. In addition, the park service has plans to build interpretive centers in Selma and Montgomery focusing on the 1965 Voting Rights March between the two cities; a center in Lowndes County, about midway between, opened in 2006. Many of the state's most popular civil rights attractions, like the Rosa Parks Library & Museum in Montgomery and the Dexter Avenue parsonage where Dr. King once lived, have opened to the public within the past decade.

Alabama's white sand beaches, highly-ranked golf trail, Civil War battlegrounds and antebellum mansions continue to attract visitors. Reverence for civil rights landmarks provides yet another reason to visit.

2-26-2009 -- Gulf Coast Beaches are Alabama’s Number One Destination according to Alabama-Travel.com citing the State Tourism's Releases List. An estimated 4.5 million people visited Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan last year, making Alabama’s Gulf Coast beaches the number one destination in the state. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville attracted 509,000 visitors to make it the number one paid attraction. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens attracted 350,000 visitors to make it the most attended free attraction. Mobile’s Mardi Gras attracted more than 835,000 people making it the number one event. Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa was the number one sports destination with 644,966 fans attending University of Alabama home games. The number one seasonal attraction in the state was Decatur’s Point Mallard Park with 150,000 visitors. The number one shopping destination, the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover attracted 15 million shoppers. For more information contact the Alabama Tourism Department or visit www.alabama.travel.

2-20-2009 -- Alabama synonomous with luxury? Believe it.  First came great golf in 1992. Next, luxury 4 diamond hotels were added. Now the latest hospitality advances in Alabama come from world-class spas – five of them – and the creation of the RTJ Spa Trail. For more information on the RTJ Spa Trail, the Resort Collection and the RTJ Golf Trail, visit www.pchresorts.com or www.rtjgolf.com.

2-10-09 -- The new Halla/Mando facility is well under construction in Northeast Opelika Industrial Park. ARCO Design/Build. Photos can be seen at: http://www.opelika.org/Default.asp?ID=660&action=view&nid=361

Capital investment in Opelika since 2005 has totaled $361.2 million, and more than 1495 new jobs have been created.

2-2-2009 -- On a budget? Consider the 50 Free Things to Do in Alabama This Spring: http://www.alabama.travel/media-room/news/50_Free_Things_in_Alabama_This_Spring.html

2-1-2009 -- Defying the economy and gravity, the skyline of Alabama Adventure will soon change as construction begins this month on the new $1 million attraction, UpSurge!

1-7-2009 -- Alabama unveils "Year of History" campaign with brand new guide. “Our goal is for all visitors to have a memorable experience when they come to Alabama, whether they visit our beaches, mountains or any places in between. We believe the vacation guide and its companion piece, the 2009 Calendar of Events put everything at their fingertips for planning a trip to Alabama,” said tourism director Lee Sentell. The 2009 Alabama Vacation Guide and the Calendar of Events are available at all eight state welcome centers across the state. Copies of the publications can also be obtained by calling 1.800.252.262 or visiting www.alabama.travel.

1-2-2009 -- Last year proved to be one of growth and development for the city of Opelika, and Mayor Gary Fuller said he expects the new year to hold more of the same. Besides tremendous industrial growth, two major developments in Opelika began site preparation or construction in 2008 — the 535-acre Celebrate Alabama project and the $32 million Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatic Center, slated to open by late July.

In addtion, “there’s more activity and more construction in downtown Opelika than I’ve ever seen,” Fuller said.

12-28-2008 -- Miami Herald proclaims: If you want to experience the South in all its drawl-y, deep-fried glory, go north to Alabama. Proudly honky-tonk but increasingly sleek thanks to posh new condo developments, Alabama's Gulf Coast is the place to go for a hit of Southern Exposure.

10-17-2008  -- Celebrate Alabama's home town recieves more great news as Opelika's own Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course is named the #1 Public Course in the country by GolfWorld magazine. Comments on GolfWorld.com include: The Senator is "as close to Scotland as you can get in Alabama," so remember to "keep it in the short grass." You'll love the "super playing surfaces, nice facilities and staff and great service." It's "golf heaven."

10-16-2008 -- O-A News reports that new developments for the Celebrate Alabama include efforts to secure a hotel with an indoor water park and an expressed interest in the project by at least one person with local ties — Bo Jackson.  “I spoke to him about a facility he’s interested in,” Silver said of Jackson, quickly adding “That’s not  an announcement.” Official announcements regarding businesses locating at Celebrate Alabama will be made jointly by Silver Companies and the other company involved, Silver said.

10-16-2008 -- The National Infantry Museum is moving closer to its March 2009 Grand Opening not far from Celebrate Alabama in Columbus, Ga. The Museum is inviting people to recognize their own heroes  through commemorative pavers that will form a walkway on the Museum's grounds connecting the Museum to Patriot Park.

10-12-2008  -- A $28 million National Park Service memorial opened in Macon County, Alabama, within an easy drive of Celebrate Alabama in Lee County, Alabama. Estimated to draw thousands of new visitors each year, the memorial helps pay tribute to the brave African Americans who fought for our nation during World War II.

10-1-2008 -- Auburn University, the City of Auburn and Lee County officials have joined together for the possibility of building an aquarium on campus property on North College Street. The $75,000 cost for a feasibility study would be divided among the three parties. “It’s such a small investment, that could pay large dividends in the future,” said Commissioner Mathan Holt.

9-18-2008 -- Opelika's TigerTown retail center continues to expand and reach new benchmarks, with Kohl's Department store opening October 1, 2008. The opening marks the first Kohl's store to come to the Opelika/Auburn market as well as the creation of 130 new jobs and another draw for East Alabama customers. Lee County's first Bed, Bath & Beyond store will be next, with its doors slated to open before Christmas.

8-12-2008  -- More good news for the home of Silver Companies' Celebrate Alabama project. Opelika-Auburn news editorial gets behind improvements for the Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport proclaiming: "We are a community of growth and progress... When corporate executives fly into the community for the first time, we want to give them a good first impression.

...We want to show them we are a community dedicated to progress, dedicated to quality and dedicated to a commitment of excellence. "

...We can tout quality education, a strong work force and a perfect geographic location in regards to Atlanta and Montgomery when trying to lure industry and jobs into the area, but we must also show these executives we are committed to their needs."

7-31-2008 -  For the second time in less than a month, a company in Opelika has announced plans to expand. Korea-based Hanwha Alabama announced plans to add approximately 42,000 square feet to its 78,000-square-foot location in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park. The expansion of an existing business base creates up to 80 percent of job growth, according to Opelika Economic Development Director Al Cook.

7-8-2008 -- More jobs are headed to Opelika, the home of Silver Companies latest retail, entertainment and attractions destination: Celebrate Alabama. Auto-maker Mando announces plans to add a second facility in Opelika, Alabama.The company will make a $25 million capital investment and add 200 jobs with the new facility.

6-28-2008 -- Celebrate Alabama's location draws national attention and regard: U.S. News & World Report names Auburn as one of the top "Ten Great Retirement Spots for Golf Nuts" spotlighting specifically the Grand National in the Auburn/Opelika area. Mullins says that Grand National is one of the 11 sites found on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, which he calls "a 26-course masterpiece that winds through the state."

5-21-2008 -- Latest hotel achieves average occupancy of 71 just three months after opening in Opelika, and a second hotel currently under construction at the Capps Landing development is slated to open in about six months. “It’s far beyond expectations for a new hotel,” said Hampton Inn & Suites General Manager Amy Scott of their occupancy rates. Success attributed to large extent thanks to its proximity to TigerTown, as well as to the Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course.  “Being in the TigerTown area, it definitely gives us a very strong selling point,” she said.

4-28-2008  -- Alabama tourism is up 10% over the previous year with an estimated 22.4 million visitors and over $9.3 billion in spending in the state, according to an economic impact report released by Governor Bill Riley.

4-3-2008 -- The Auburn-Opelika area rose 15 places in the U.S. Census Bureau' list of the 100 fastest growing areas in the country, moving up from #89 in 2007 to claim the #74 spot in 2008.  Web site Forbes.com named the Auburn-Opelika area one of the fastest-growing metro areas earlier this year.

3-31-2008 -- Opelika, Ala. Mayor Gary Fuller points to strength of City citing growth in commercial, retail and residential developments, low unemployment, new industrial expansion, the success of TigerTown and the announcement of a major entertainment desination, Silver Companies' Celebrate Alabama.

He goes on to mention that 2007 marked the third largest growth year, with a year-end total of $129.3 million in total permits issued. Having said that, 2007 did represent the largest growth year the city has enjoyed in residential growth, literally quadrupling the number of homes under construction in one year.

3-11-2008  -- Less than 30 minutes from the Opelika/Auburn site chosen by Larry D. Silver to build the latest in his signature "Celebrate" projects, the expansion at Fort Benning, Ga., continues. Since planning for the expansion began in 2001, more than $1 billion in construction to support Soldiers and their families have either been completed or under construction by 2011.

3-7-2008 -- Two new companies that will supply the new Kia plant being constructed close to Celebrate Alabama break ground. The projects by AJIN USA and MP Tech America represent a combined capital investment of $110 million and 700 new jobs. Chambers County, where the companies have located, adjoins Lee County, where Celebrate Alabama is located along I-85.

Alabama has now won eight new Kia suppliers, and 14 Hyndai suppliers in Alabama have expanded their operations to also supply Kia.

2-25-2008 -- "... Currently, the area’s top attractions are sporting events at Auburn and golf. Celebrate Alabama, a multi-purpose development and retail center to be constructed in north Opelika along Interstate 85 figures to give the area a financial windfall. Adding an aquarium to the mix would be a bonus."
- OPELIKA-ABURN NEWS EDITORIAL - Area officials must find way to lure Alabama Aquarium

2-21-08  -- World-Class Aquarium May Join Celebrate Alabama in Creating Tourism Hub For Area: The Alabama Aquarium Group is considering a location for a 6-million gallon aquarium near Celebrate Alabama and potentially in connection with Auburn University due to its strong educational goals. Among the reasons for developing such an experience, the group says, is the fact that Alabama has the most natural resources of water among any U.S. state.

2-2-08 --  Celebrate Alabama's location makes Forbe.com's Top 10 List for growing small metros. Officials credit Auburn/Opelika's location along the I-85 Corridor and economic recruiting for the tremendous growth.