President Barack Obama has declared September National Preparedness Month and business owners are encouraged to have a plan in place to protect their property, investment and employees.

According to Ready.gov, America's businesses form the backbone of the nation's economy; small businesses alone account for more than 99 percent of all companies with employees, employ 50 percent of all private sector workers and provide nearly 45 percent of the nation's payroll. If businesses are ready to survive and recover from natural and man-made disasters, the nation and our economy are more secure.

Business owners in Alabama are urged to be informed of the types of emergencies that could affect them both internally and externally. Ready.gov provides a state-by-state analysis of weather-related risks.

The Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is having a Ribbon Cutting on Friday, August 26 at 10 a.m. for the new TSC (Tractor Supply Company), located in the Jackson Shopping Center, South Broad Street, Scottsboro.

Join them for the Grand Opening celebration.

For more information, visit JacksonCountyChamber.com or call 800-259-5508.

The TVA Board will consider moving forward with the completion of the Bellefonte Plant in Jackson County this month.

A staff recommendation to finish the reactor will be on the August 18th board meeting agenda.

TVA's chief operating officer says seeking the board's approval was delayed after the nuclear crisis in Japan.

Officials say the tentative startup date for the plant is in about seven to eight years.