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Almost 60 years ago, switchboard operators were an absolute necessity. Today, most people can’t even tell you what the purpose of a switchboard operator was because of the development in phones. Not to long after that, bowling alley pinsetter jobs also disappeared as machines took their places. Today, bridge toll collectors are being swapped out for electronic number plate recognition systems. Technology has a history of stealing jobs.

The public relations representative at Alabama Power Beth Thomas said that for that exact reason, that’s why the Alabama Power location in Brewton will be closing. The location will be officially closed on August 9, 2019.

“We’re working to adapt to our customers’ changing preferences toward doing business electronically,” Thomas said. “Many of our customers pay their bills and look at their bills electronically.”

Thomas said that since electronic payments are Alabama Power’s fastest growing payment channel, they will be combining select business offices and appliance centers across their territory. However, Thomas said that Alabama Power will do their best to give the affected employees new positions. She said employees will have the opportunity to be repositioned within the company.

Thomas said Alabama Power has added more than 2,000 convenient locations for customers to pay their bills in-person. Some of the locations are at Piggly Wiggly, Walmart and Dollar General. Customers can find these nearby locations at alabamapower.com/payinperson .

Customers with questions can call the call center at 1-800-245-2244 from 7 a.m. to  9 p.m. Monday through Friday.