By Scottie Brown

The Selma Times-Journal

Since 2006, the first full weekend in August has been reserved as the kick-off for the Tax Free Holiday in Alabama, and this year will be no different.

From Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3 numerous items will once again be free of both state and local sales taxes in the City of Selma and Dallas County.

Covered items include, but are not limited to, clothing priced at $100 or less per item, school supplies priced at less than $50 per item and computer items priced at less than $750 per item.

Sheryl Smedley, the executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said the Tax Free Holiday was a great way for local businesses to get some traffic.

“It encourages consumers to shop locally,” Smedley said. “It attracts them into our local retailers, as well.”

For many schools in Dallas County, mandatory dress codes have been implemented. Screen Co is a provider of some of the pullovers and sweatshirts that fall within the guidelines set forth by the schools, and they will be tax-free for that weekend. Jeffery Nichols, a manager with Screen CO, said he was eager to see the turnout of people and the orders.

“I would probably expect anywhere from 200 to 300 people,” Nichols said. “That’s going to be a multiple order from [people] probably getting five shirts and two jackets. It’s going to vary, but they’ll get more than one item during that weekend.”

But the crowd does not scare him. In fact, Nichols said the Tax-Free Holiday was something Screen Co prepares for in advance.

“It’s great,” Nichols said. “I mean you can tell it’s a boost to the business. We just have to stock more and prepare for it, but in the past it’s just gotten bigger and bigger every year.”

Smedley said the overall weekend was a great opportunity for both businesses in Selma and Dallas County and the community.

“It’s a way to attract people into the local retailers. I’m looking at the list, and it covers everything…socks, sneakers, school uniforms, even computers and printer supplies for computers,” Smedley said. “There again that’s an advantage to some of these people. They may not go to some of these businesses, but it opens the door up for them to go.”