Selma Redevelopment Authority applies for grants to provide funding for projects |

The Selma Redevelopment Authority has applied for grant money to fill the gap as the city hasn’t approved funding in the budget. 

Treasurer Sylvia Smith reported in their Aug. 24 meeting that the board is operating on previous funding and has eliminated expenses, including office rent and the Internet. Martha Lockett, SRA chairman, said the board is operating on previous Education Fund of America grant funds because the city has not approved a budget for the current year and SRA has received no money from the city.  

Lockett said the SRA has applied for about $30,000 in grants to be awarded in September for projects including façade enhancement and will seek more if the other grants are successful. 

She said the SRA also recently reported to a City Council work session on SRA projects and possibilities if the SRA were included in the city budget.  

Lockett said City of Selma Planning and Development asked the SRA to meet with FEMA to set up meetings with small groups of business owners and property owners to convince them of the need to cleanup downtown. She said FEMA will bring in the people to lead the meetings, and the SRA will serve as the organizer, which she said “would be the perfect impetus to restart the downtown business association.” 

Lockett said FEMA will also work with the SRA on a business database and property database for the city. 

The SRA discussed the possibility of a startup grant to get a graphic designer to work with a planner to get a high-tech wayfinding system for Selma and discussed the board’s liability insurance. 

Lockett, Dr. Rose Wilkins and Kayarda Lowe agreed to work on the SRA by-laws. And the board agreed to reschedule its Dec. 21 meeting to Dec. 14.

Present for the meeting were Community Advocate Susan Youngblood, Lockett, Smith, Mandy Henry, Kayarda Lowe and Rose Wilkins. Jimmie Coleman and Clay Carmichael were absent.