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PAGE 6A May/June 2025 Print Edition
Emergency Pet Care Now Open in Gadsden By Brandon K. Pierce Alabama Ledger Taking care of a family
one of the most common questions from pet owners was about services and care outside of regular business hours and on weekends. Dr. Buckner first had her idea for an emergency pet clinic about three years ago, and for the past year she has been working on the logistics of her new business. “The scope was much bigger than I ever imagined,” commented Dr. Buckner, who noted that her business officially opened in April 2025. Gadsden Veterinary Associates is centrally located for pet owners, as it serves folks in the Gadsden area, as well as from surrounding communities and counties. With the next closest Emergency Pet Care service located near Trussville, Dr. Buckner said pet owners now have a local place for their cats and dogs to receive a wide range of medical services. “Gadsden just happened to be what I thought was centrally located,” said Dr. Buckner, who is a native of Southside. The new veterinary
office provides numerous emergency services ranging from exams and in-house lab work to snakebite anti- venom and medications. Some of the other services listed on the business website include: • Emergency and Urgent Veterinary Exams and Consultations • In-House Diagnostics (x-ray, ultrasounds, etc.) • Outpatient Treatment and Hospitalization • Emergency Surgery • End-of-Life Care Pets are seen based on the urgency of their needs and Gadsden Veterinary Associates is a walk-in only clinic. Appointments are not required, but Dr. Buckner said that pet owners are welcome to call on their way to the office so that medical staff can be standing by and ready to take care of the pet. The office phone number is 256-467-8387. “Our goal is to help,” added Dr. Buckner, noting that her staff is trained and ready to come up with a diagnosis, and work on a treatment, or plan of care, to help your beloved pet in its time of need.
pet is not an easy task, and often times finding medical treatment, especially after hours, can be even more difficult. Well, Gadsden Veterinary Associates is here to help. Now open at 512 South 4th Street in downtown, Gadsden Veterinary Associates offers emergency pet care on weekends, nights and major Holidays. The full-service veterinary office is operated by Dr. Abby Buckner and is open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weeknights and on weekends from 6 p.m. on Friday night until Monday morning at 7 a.m. Dr. Buckner said that her primary purpose is to provide emergency services and urgent care for pets. She said this also “relieves the burden” on other doctors who work all day, and it gives cat and dog owners a place to receive emergency care after most other veterinary offices are closed. The 2020 Auburn Graduate said that when she first started her career,
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger Dr. Abby Buckner at Gadsden Veterinary Associates Emergency Care (right) and Jamie Roberts preform an exam. The new Veterinary office is now open at 512 South 4th Street in downtown Gadsden.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger Jamie Roberts and Madeline Goss perform an X-ray at Gadsden Veterinary Associates Emergency Care.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger Lauren Johnson prepares to processes a pet's lab work. This is one of the many in house services offered at Gadsden Veterinary Associates.
Alabama's “Powering Growth” Plan to Secure Energy Dominance for Future Growth
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed into law comprehensive legislation designed to solidify Alabama's energy dominance, accelerate economic development and address potential critical energy infrastructure supply chain vulnerabilities. The “Powering Growth” plan includes the establishment of the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank, a strategic plan to mitigate long lead times for crucial energy equipment and streamlined permitting processes mirroring recent federal initiatives signed by President Trump to support economic development projects. The Powering Growth plan’s goal is to create a robust framework for energy dominance and security across Alabama. This initiative aligns with the Alabama Growth Alliance’s strategic priorities, focusing on expanding energy capacity and developing prime sites for industrial and commercial development, turning “shovel ready sites” into “move in ready” sites and addressing supply chain constraints. “In order to keep Alabama’s economy growing, we’ve got to make sure that we have the power to support it,” said Governor Ivey. “That’s what Powering Growth is all about — making sure our energy infrastructure is robust enough to meet the demands of new industries, new jobs and a stronger future. This plan ensures we’re prepared to compete, not just with neighboring states, but on a national level. By investing now, we’re laying the groundwork for long-term growth – especially in areas that need it most.” The Key Components of Powering Growth include the following: Cutting Red Tape for Energy and Economic Growth • Streamlines permitting and removes unnecessary regulatory delays so energy infrastructure projects can move faster and at lower costs. • Makes Alabama more attractive to industrial prospects that need speed to market and predictability in the planning process. Fixing Supply Chain Bottlenecks • Accelerates access to critical materials and equipment for energy infrastructure. • Reduces government-caused delays that slow down site readiness and project approvals. Developing More Move-In-Ready Industrial Sites • Funds energy development at industrial parks and economic development prospects to make more sites power ready. • Helps local communities compete for job-creating projects by eliminating a key barrier: lack of immediate power access.
Photo Courtesy of Governor's Office
said state Sen. Arthur Orr. “You don’t want to build a levee when the water is already rising. As energy demand is going to continue to accelerate in the future, we are laying the groundwork now through Powering Growth to ensure we are able to compete and win on economic development projects for decades to come.” Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter emphasized the importance of this initiative for Alabama's economic trajectory while stressing sustainability and accountability. "Building more energy capacity, overcoming supply chain hurdles and improving the speed of permitting is essential for building a stronger economy," said Speaker Ledbetter. "This legislation represents a strategic investment in our state's future, ensuring we have the energy resources necessary to support job creation and economic growth for generations to come while at the same time ensuring sustainable growth that protects our citizens without raising taxes." Alabama Senate Pro Tem Garlan Gudger said that in the development of this package, the Legislature made it a top priority to ensure that this package focuses on helping develop and support rural areas. “My key focus throughout the development of these bills has been to make sure that they support and grow opportunity in the rural parts of our state,” said Pro Tem Gudger. “We worked to include language in these bills that ensures a significant portion of this investment goes to rural Alabama, and I can’t wait to see the projects and economic growth that these investments will make for years to come. Energy security and dominance is critical for growth, and this is a big step forward in ensuring that we have both here in Alabama.”
Creating the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank • Provides flexible financing for power infrastructure tied to industrial growth and job creation. • Funds energy infrastructure expansion to power up sites statewide. • Ensures grid reliability and resilience, strengthening Alabama’s long-term energy security. • Leverages state funds to unlock private and federal investment, without raising taxes. “Alabama has already achieved remarkable success by focusing on what economic development truly demands: available land, strong incentives, robust broadband and excellent roads and bridges,” said Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair. “However, energy availability consistently ranks as the No. 1 factor in site selection for economic development projects, and the demand for energy is growing exponentially nationwide. By investing in our energy infrastructure and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities – across both our urban and rural areas – we are laying the foundation for long-term economic prosperity and ensuring Alabama remains a premier destination for businesses.” The Alabama Growth Alliance, a coalition of business and government leaders dedicated to driving economic development, has identified energy infrastructure and supply chain resilience as key priorities. A statewide study commissioned by the Legislature and the Commerce Department identified the establishment of the Energy Infrastructure Bank as well as targeted growth projects that may help the State Industrial Development Authority in directing this funding mechanism. “Powering Growth is truly a visionary plan that was developed through a collaborative, forward-thinking approach to identify today our energy needs for tomorrow,”
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