POWERGRAMS

42 A downtown redevelopment authority hopes to spark new business in one of Alabama's oldest cities. The Selma Redevelopment Authority formed in early 2017 exists as a tool to recruit businesses and revitalize the downtown. Alabama Power employees were instrumental in bringing the group to life, organizing an initial planning meeting in 2016 with Selma business and civic leaders. Southern Division Vice President Leslie Sanders aended the first brainstorming session and has seen firsthand the work redevelopment authorities have done in places like Montgomery. Sanders is past chairwoman of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors. "From its earliest years, Alabama Power has worked to recruit new industry to Alabama, and the company continues to play a major role in economic and community development," Sanders said. "A redevelopment authority in Selma can bring in jobs, increase tax revenue and improve the quality of life. This ability is in keeping with our company's commitment to help elevate Alabama." Juanda Maxwell is chairwoman of Selma's Redevelopment Authority. She said a past effort to improve Selma's downtown had mixed results. "It really did not have any authority," Maxwell said. "It was created a long time ago, but it just wasn't really functioning." The new SRA has much more authority: like the ability to apply for grants, issue bonds, borrow money and sell or lease property. "There are now just a lot of things we can do on behalf of the city that cuts through the bureaucracy that can sometimes exist," Maxwell said. "We can do all kinds of things." Maxwell said the SRA will focus on bringing more retail business to Selma and improving the aesthetics of downtown. The SRA was awarded a grant to hire a full- time executive director and a Delta Regional Authority grant to provide free Wi-Fi internet downtown. In the short-term, the SRA is working to establish a loan program for small businesses, and locate a company to buy or operate the St. James historic riverfront hotel. "We are working to meet with all the businesses downtown, to find out their wants and needs," Maxwell said. "We want to hear from the community about what they would like to see downtown in Selma." Maxwell thanked Alabama Power for the company's role in creating the SRA. "Alabama Power is at the table. They were the ones who rolled out with the idea that the SRA needed to be reconstituted," Maxwell said. "They were the group that brought the different entities together. It was really just an idea, but they helped to drive it." SRA Executive Director Barja Wilson

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