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U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell announced on Feb. 26 that the City of Selma will receive a $2 million federal grant to resurface 59 blocks of city roads.

Sewell made the announcement during a press conference at the Selma Convention Center alongside Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr., Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn, Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Co-Chairman Dr. Corey Wiggins and Alabama Tombigbee Executive Director John Clyde Riggs.

SInce the Jan. 12, 2023 tornado, Perkins said the city focused on three areas: housing, economic development and infrastructure. 

“It takes a lot of planning from the local, state and federal government for this to work,” Perkins said. 

Nunn said he is grateful for the teamwork displayed between the mayor, Sewell and the DRA for improving the road conditions.

“We’re rebranding Selma and that’s making a difference,” Nunn said. 

Sewell said improving conditions in her hometown has always remained a top priority.

“We must keep on moving forward,” Sewell said. “What Selma and Dallas County must do, they can’t do without the help of all of us. We’re making a commitment to making Selma walk together to rebrand and redevelop and reimagine Selma and Dallas County.” 

City Planning and Development Director Danielle Wooten said seven downtown streets and about that many roads in Disaster Area 1 will be resurfaced. Disaster Area 1 runs east of Broad Street to Marie Foster Street and north of J.L. Chestnut Boulevard to First Avenue.   

Young said Selma will be built better and stronger.

“Roads are not a luxury; they are a necessity,” Young said. “This has provided us with the tools we need to thrive. We don’t want to restore, we don’t want to just rebuild, we want to make Selma the best it’s ever been.”  

Riggs also applauded the three branches of government and the DRA working together with the Alabama Tombigbee to rebuild Selma.

“The effort has been through hard work and our great grant writers,” Riggs said. 

Wiggins said he was glad to work with Selma on improving its roads.