The Badin Villager is a free monthly newsletter available on the first of the month at the Badin Post Office, the Badin Town Hall, the Badin Library and West Badin Community Center. It is also published online at www.visitbadin.com. For more information contact info@visitbadin.com

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the world’s largest recycler of electronic waste, announced that it will open a regional recycling hub in Badin, NC. The facility will be ERI’s first Southeast location and is expected to bring up to 200 green-collar jobs to the community. “We are excited about expanding our business to North Carolina,” said John Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of ERI. “The enormous influx of new technologies, rendering older devices obsolete, as well as the demand for the safe and secure disposal of data, has created incredible growth in the electronic waste industry, and we look forward to establishing a significant, long-term operation in Badin.” Shegerian made the announcement on Monday, May 23, 2011 before a crowd of 100 community leaders and local officials, including U.S. Congressman Larry Kissell, State Sen. Bill Purcell, State Rep. Justin Burr, Stanly County Commissioner Josh Morton, Badin Mayor James Harrison and Albemarle Mayor Whit Whitley. He thanked the community for the warm welcome that ERI has received in North Carolina. “This announcement is what we have been praying for ever since the shuttering of the Alcoa Inc. smelting operation,” Mayor Harrison said. “I hope that ERI’s selection of Badin is a sign of good things starting to take place for the Badin community and Stanly County.” ERI works with retailers, manufacturers, Fortune 500 companies, government entities, educational institutions and charitable organizations to recycle electronic waste, including laptop computers, cell phones, televisions, printers and other electronics. Some of its notable customers include Best Buy, Samsung, the Salvation Army and the U.S. Government.

ERI will be the inaugural tenant in the new 123-acre Badin Business Park. Developed by Alcoa, the Park includes 700,000 square feet of prime industrial space. Alcoa is investing more than $10 million to redevelop the former plant site into a business park for manufacturing companies. ERI will begin operations in July 2011 and plans to begin hiring a local work force of 20 to 30 employees immediately to assist with its start-up operations. As its recycling volume grows it plans to hire up to 200 employees. The company has already named a plant manager for the site.

Teens Making a Difference Badin’s Teens Making a Difference will hold a reunion banquet, “Reuniting the Past by Uniting the Present,” at 6:30 pm on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at Ike’s Westbrook Community Center, 507 Roosevelt Street, Badin. The speaker is Larry Terrell Watkins.

Uwharrie Rentals Twila’s Gifts and Thrifts Shop on Falls Road, Badin has joined with God’s Country Outfitters of Albemarle to form Uwharrie Lake Rentals to rent canoes and kayaks for use on the area’s lakes.

The Cottage House Check out Badin’s newest store, The Cottage House. This furnishings and décor specialty shop will open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm and Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Badin Inn Events The popular Pickin’ on the Porch continues every Friday night from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. June 3, 2011 will feature Brandon Snow. Every Thursday is Karaoke Night from 7 pm until 11:30 pm. Badin Inn’s Bands and BBQ Bash, cancelled due to inclement weather, has been rescheduled for Saturday, 2 July , 2011. Watch for details about this event in coming editions of the Villager.

The Sunshine Club Badin’s inter-denominational seniors group meets at 10:30 am on the fourth Tuesday of every month in the fellowship hall of the Badin Baptist Church. Bring a covered dish and one dollar.

School Calendar 05/30/11 Holiday 06/09/11 Last Day

Great Looks Want to have great looks? Drop by and see Donna Johnson at Great Looks, Badin’s own hair stylist for men and women located across from the Badin Museum and behind the Post Office,

Sewer Plant Road Some folks were sorry to see the rusting Alcoa water tower bite the dust. Others, no doubt, will miss this first street sign a visitor sees as he drives into Badin. Take a last fond look. Come July, it too will bite the dust and be replaced by a charming new name.