Opp and Covington County got great news yesterday when American Apparel, Inc. announced it would reopen its doors in Opp, after being closed for nearly a year.

The announcement means jobs for 70 to 75 people, and the company CEO said he hopes American Apparel can hire as many former employees as possible.

For all the months that the local facility has been closed, many people have worked together behind the scenes to make it possible for the Opp plant to reopen. We salute those who never gave up on the idea, and who wouldn't take less than "yes," from those in position to help make the idea a reality.

"People stayed involved in Opp and never stopped trying to bring it back, and that's what was instrumental in bringing the jobs back," Covington County Economic Development Council's Rick Clifton said.

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - A German automotive supplier is cutting the ribbon on a new plant that will mean 105 jobs in Auburn.

Rausch & Pausch is unveiling a production center and headquarters on Wednesday morning.

The 70,000-square-foot facility is located in Auburn Technology Park West.

The company will produce automobile parts and components to reduce fuel consumption. They do that by reducing the amount of time a vehicle idles.

The company is a supplier to both Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler.

The Auburn facility will represent an expected capital investment of $18 million as production increases.

MONTGOMERY, Alabama ---A bill to set up a scholarship program for high school students to train at two-year colleges to become welders, electricians, mechanics or other types of skilled workers won final passage today in the Alabama Senate.

HB 384 by Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, is one of the priority bills of the Republican majority, who say it is a way to fill gaps in the workforce and lower the dropout rate by keeping some students interested in school.

It had already passed the House and goes to Gov. Robert Bentley, who could sign it into law.