Mattress storein Montgomery, AL

Since the launch of a modernization plan in 2020, Premier Tech has created 55 jobs in Montgomery, raising total employment to 133 production and office team members. The configuration of this new facility could foster further investments that would help double the workforce by 2028.

“Premier Tech’s commitment to Montgomery as a great place to grow their business is outstanding news for the River Region and all of Alabama,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “Montgomery is one of Alabama’s brightest stars in economic development, setting records and leading the state in job creation last year.

“With growth like this in Montgomery, it is no surprise Alabama ranks among the top 10 states for doing business,” she added.

GROWTH PLANS

Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the opening of the tech hub represents a milestone for Premier Tech and welcome news for the Montgomery region.

“Premier Tech is a world-leading manufacturer of sophisticated packaging and processing equipment, and its new facility in Montgomery will help this high-performance company fully realize its growth potential,” Secretary Canfield said.

The Montgomery center is equipped with advanced robotic labs and a testing and innovation area, allowing Premier Tech to increase its manufacturing capacities to meet the growing demand for packaging equipment in the United States.

“With key investment to increase the quality of our products, like powder coating, and the integration of a technical floor allowing for testing equipment at full speed and payloads as well as a dedicated training room for clients and team members, our new headquarters are setting the stage for growing our sales and delivering an even better overall client experience,” said Jeffrey A Kotila, site director.

The new tech hub demonstrates Premier Tech’s leadership position in its field, according to Ed Castile, Deputy Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce for Workforce Programs and director of AIDT.

“We continue to be amazed with Premier Tech and their Leadership Team in both Montgomery and Canada,” Castile said. “As we witness their commitment to product quality, to their local workforce and their investment in the Montgomery community, it is obvious, Premier Tech is an industry leader.

“Their investment in Alabama continues to demonstrate to the world, Alabama Works!” he added.

LOCAL IMPACT

The opening of the Montgomery center comes just a few weeks after Premier Tech and its Systems and Automation group announced plans for a new, $13 million technology and manufacturing center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Premier Tech, based in Rivière-du-Loup, Québec, announced plans for its Montgomery hub in July 2022.

“Premier Tech will leverage Montgomery’s position as a burgeoning hub for advanced logistics, technology, and transportation to expand its global footprint through innovative and sustainable strategies. We look forward to building on this partnership for years to come,” Mayor Steven Reed said.

“This beautiful modern facility stands here today as a beacon of optimism and commitment to the future of Premier Tech and of Montgomery,” added LaBarron Boone, chairman of the board of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

Guests will flood into Montgomery from across the nation this summer as Montgomery Whitewater opens for rafting and kayaking. The grand opening is July 7-9, with weeks of private events and other small gatherings in the park ahead of that.

Whether they fly in at Montgomery Regional Airport and snap up rental cars, or do a road trip to our area in their own vehicles, they're going to need a place to rest their heads — and possibly park their RVs — to dream of riding the rapids.

“People are coming from everywhere,” said Ron Simmons, chief officer of destination and community development for Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. “They’re going to stay at hotels everywhere.”

Along with a boost in rental car use, as well as taxi and Uber services, Simmons said this will be a chance for M Transit — the city’s bus system — to shine. The city recently announced a multi-million investment in new busses, shelters, and on-demand ride options.

“There’s transportation directly from the airport to downtown,” Simmons said.

Future plans for Montgomery Whitewater include an on-site hotel, which CEO Dave Hepp said should be ready within two years. But the first few waves of folks will definitely need other accommodations. For those unfamiliar with the area, the Advertiser is helping take a little bit of the bed quest off your plates.

We’re kicking it off with the most likely of sleeping spaces, hotels from throughout the river region. Hint: If you get one downtown, there are many things to do within walking distance. Montgomery Whitewater is only minutes from downtown, though you're still going to want to take a vehicle across I-65 to get to Montgomery Whitewater at 1100 Maxwell Blvd. Make your hotel reservations ASAP, before they all get booked:

Montgomery

Candlewood Suites Eastchase Park

Capitol Inn & Suites

Clarion Inn Montgomery East

Comfort Suites Montgomery East

Comfort Inn & Suites Montgomery East

Comfort Inn & Suites Montgomery Eastchase

Comfort Suites Airport South

Courtyard by Mariott-Montgomery

Days Inn by Wyndham

Days Inn by Wyndham Coliseum

DoubleTree by Hilton

Drury Inn & Suites Montgomery

Embassy Suites Montgomery Hotel and Conference Center

Fairfield by Marriott

Fairfield by Marriott Montgomery Airport South

Hampton Inn & Suites-Eastchase

Hampton Inn – Downtown

Hilton Garden Inn

Hilton Garden Inn Eastchase

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

Holiday Inn Express Montgomery East

Holiday Inn Montgomery Airport South

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Montgomery

Homewood Suites by Hilton

Microtel Inn & Suites

Quality Inn & Suites

Quality Inn & Suites Montgomery East

Quality Inn Montgomery South

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center

Sleep Inn & Suites

Sleep Inn & Suites Eastchase

Springhill Suites Montgomery Downtown

Staybridge Suites Montgomery Downtown

Sunrise Extended Stay

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

Trilogy Hotel Montgomery, Autograph Collection

Wind Creek Montgomery

Wingate by Wyndham

Hope Hull

hilton.com/en/hotels/mgmhhhx-hampton-montgomery-south-airport

Millbrook

Sleep Inn & Suites Millbrook-Prattville

Springhill Suites – Millbrook

Prattville

Avid Hotel

Courtyard by Marriott Prattville

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Prattville-Montgomery

Econo Lodge

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Prattville South

Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center at Capitol Hill

Quality Inn Prattville

Rodeway Inn

Tru by Hilton

Wetumpka

Hampton Inn Wetumpka

Wind Creek Wetumpka

Airbnb

A variety of spaces are available, including the suite used by writer F. Scott Fitzgerald in Montgomery and some lovely spots at The Waters in Pike Road.

VRBO

Also offers several Montgomery homes in a variety of styles for rent.

RV/Campgrounds

If you’re into whitewater rafting, camping and RV parks might be your thing — especially if you’re hauling along your own kayak gear. Here’s a few RV friendly places from around the River Region:

Autauga Creek RV Campground

Capital City RV Park

Fort Toulouse – Jackson Park

Kick Back Ranch (also offers cabins)

Kountry Air RV Park

Montgomery South RV Park & Cabins

The Backyard RV Resort

Woodruff Lake

You can definitely work up an appetite riding the river channels at Montgomery Whitewater. Or maybe you're just downtown and hungry.

Either way, welcome to Eddy's Restaurant and Bar — the full-service eatery on site next to the outfitters store. Park planners have said it will be one of the largest restaurants in the area when it officially opens to the public next month.

They'll serve lunch 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner 5 to 9 p.m., as well as drinks with a unique view just minutes from downtown at 1100 Maxwell Blvd. The indoor restaurant and outdoor dining and bar areas overlook the rapids. Folks there say it's got the best sunset view in Montgomery.

It's also got the best health rating possible. According to the Montgomery County Health Department, they scored 100.

Eddy's offers variety, from fast-casual to upscale options. Their all-day menu includes a variety of appetizers and hearty gourmet entrees like burgers, pulled pork sliders and fish tacos. The Mediterranean, Asian or Southwestern bowls keep things light but satisfying for the health conscious. The evening brings a fine dining menu, with daily features.

Chef staff and pricing have not been made available yet by Montgomery Whitewater.

If you're 21 or older, they've got craft beer, wine and cocktails. Yes, they'll have happy hour drink specials.

Eddy's expects people to get drenched during a day of rafting. Restaurant guests are asked to towel dry off before coming in. However, all of the seating was designed with wet clothes in mind.

Eddy's also does catering for races, events, corporate meetings and other special functions. It's the exclusive caterer for rental events at Montgomery Whitewater.

For the next few weeks they're training employees during a soft opening with a limited, fixed menu, but that will soon change. After the park's grand opening, the restaurant will operate seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. any time Montgomery Whitewater is open to the public.

Eddy's menu (subject to change)

Appetizers

Daily menu

Sides

Bowls

Fine dining — available 5-9 p.m.

Kids menu

All kids’ entrees are served with fries, macaroni & cheese, onion rings, fruit cup.

Desserts

So just who is Eddy?

If you search, you might find someone named Eddy or Eddie hanging around at Montgomery Whitewater, but that's not who the restaurant is named after.

In fact, there is no "who," but a wonderous, watery "what."

An eddy is a circular current of water — aka a whirlpool. They come in all sizes in all bodies of water. Paddlers in rafts and kayaks even make them while rowing through the water.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.

A Montgomery public charter school must repay $1.9 million after an audit found that the school did not accurately track more than 600,000 meals served in 2021 and 2022.

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture received an anonymous complaint alleging that Crave Cafeteria Solutions, the vendor supplying meals at LEAD Academy, “inflated the number of children and meals served” during the 2021-22 school year, according to documents reviewed by AL.com.

Now, the school must find a way to repay the USDA its money, according to an audit conducted by the state Department of Education.

Read more Ed Lab: Two Alabama schools have new whiteboards that convert to gun, storm shelters.

Read more Ed Lab: Oscar-winner Daniel Scheinert says these Alabama teachers changed his life.

Paul Morin, who serves on the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, which oversees LEAD and other state charter schools, called the audit and questions about the school’s leadership a “major issue” at a recent meeting. The commission denied the school’s request to expand ninth grade enrollment.

LEAD Academy Board President Charlotte Meadows, a former state legislator, said the school does not have any money connected to the meals on hand because the money was used to pay the vendor, Crave.

In statements to AL.com and in lawsuits, school and Crave Cafeteria officials each claim the other party was responsible for properly counting meals.

Meadows claimed Crave employees did not follow proper procedures or keep proper records. She also said the pandemic school year, plus shifting federal guidance, caused miscommunication.

LEAD Academy sued Crave for $2 million, the amount owed plus interest. The school claimed the company breached its contract and defrauded the school by inflating the number of school meals it could claim. In January, a judge issued a default judgment and ordered Crave to repay the money.

Meadows said LEAD Academy is pursuing “all legal means to collect the taxpayers’ money” from Crave, so it can return it to the USDA.

Brian Pleasant, Crave’s owner, refuted Meadows’ claims. He told AL.com Friday that school staff were responsible for properly “counting and claiming” the number of students and meals served.

Pleasant filed an appeal in February, saying he never received LEAD’s initial lawsuit. The case is ongoing.

Jason Swann, with the state Department of Education, said the department is working with LEAD Academy officials on next steps. The department gave the school until September 2027 to repay the full amount according to Meadows.

“Now we’re in the process of collecting that debt on behalf of the USDA,” he said. “And trying to come up with a repayment plan.”

Alabama Board of Education Vice President Wayne Reynolds, in an email to state board members Friday, directed the state department to obtain approval from the state board before moving forward with any decisions about the repayment plan.

LEAD Academy has struggled on many fronts, including fighting (and winning) a lawsuit in 2019 to keep them from opening to settling a 2019 lawsuit with the school’s first principal.

The state department of education stepped in to force Montgomery County schools to provide meal services for the school during its first year of operation, the 2019-20 school year.

The school cut ties in early 2020 with its initial charter management organization after officials with the CMO failed to provide the services they were contracted to provide.

LEAD Academy’s most recent test results landed them on the federal school improvement list in November.

Updated 5:45 p.m. to clarify the anonymous complaint to the USDA was about Crave Cafeteria Solutions.

A company that performed electrical, concrete and mechanical work for Montgomery Whitewater, a rafting and kayaking park opening in July, has alleged that the general contractor treated minority-owned subcontractors inappropriately and did not pay them.

MDG Contracting & Environmental Solutions filed the lawsuit against the Montgomery County Community Cooperative District.

Montgomery Whitewater is located within the district and was created through a partnership with Southern Whitewater Development Group, according to the website.

The lawsuit describes it as a quasi-public project that required at least 30 percent of subcontractors to be owned by women or minorities. MDG is a minority-owned business that was selected to perform work on the whitewater park.

According to the lawsuit, the general contractor, the Mississippi-based company JESCO, “mismanaged scheduling of the work, including construction scope sequencing, and blamed resulting cost overruns on [minority business enterprises].”

The general contractor used that as a pretext not to pay MDG and to scale back work performed by minority subcontractors, according to the lawsuit.

“JESCO then used self-inflicted cost overruns as a pretext to not pay MDG and reduced MBE’s scopes of work—invariably awarding the MBEs’ former work to JESCO to self-perform or send to those within its ‘good ol’ boy’ network, and at times performing the work with unlicensed subcontractors, including using a largely undocumented—and cheaper work force,” the lawsuit said.

JESCO is not named as a party in the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that the general contractor made it clear they did not want to work with MDG, failed to provide accurate and detailed construction plans and than threatened to remove work from their contract.

MDG said it was not given enough time to do some parts of the work required for the project.

On other occasions, other contractors failed to coordinate so MDG could complete its portion of the project. As a result, the company’s subcontract was terminated in July 2022, according to the lawsuit. Later, the park of the company’s contract was restored.

In late 2022, MDG officials submitted a complaint stating they were owed $7.6 million in construction costs. In a court document, attorneys for the Montgomery County Community Cooperative District said MDG had reached an agreement in July 2022 when they reversed the company’s termination, signing a letter that has been followed by all parties. As part of the agreement, the developers and the subcontractor agreed not to seek back payments from the disputed work, the motion said.

The letter of agreement should have resolved the disputes between the companies and made the lawsuit unnecessary, according to attorneys for the district.

“MDG refuses to honor the Letter Agreement,” according to the court documents. “First, MDG filed a verified statement of lien. Second, roughly two weeks later, it brought this lawsuit seeking $7,666,762.00 to enforce its already-released lien, and otherwise making claims for unjust enrichment and breach of contract.”

Lawyers for the district are seeking a dismissal of the lawsuit.

A hearing related to the case is scheduled for August.

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