The changes are already obvious to anyone passing by the former Holiday Inn on Highway 80.

A sign outside proclaims the new management and anyone who calls is greeted with “Ramada Inn.”

The former Holiday Inn has changed owners, and is now the Ramada Inn of Selma.

While most of Selma is just now finding out about the change, the new owner said it’s been in the works since Dec. 9.

“We’re going to clean up,” owner and operator Vinay Sharma said. “We’re trying to be a part of this community. We’ve already brought Ramada Inn here.”

Other changes include renovating the hotel’s restaurant and lowering prices.

“We’re going to reduce rates,” Sharma said. “We’re going to change it to Ramada and (their) rates are 15 to 20 percent lower than Holiday Inn’s. Now you’re looking at lower rates at a better quality.”

The restaurant changes will follow more slowly.

While the former general manager is no longer employed, Sharma said the staff of 30 will be staying on.

“We have an excellent staff,” he said. “All the people who are working here we’re going to keep.”

Chamber of Commerce Director Claire Twardy said she was happy to see Sharma and Ramada take over at the Holiday Inn.

“They did their homework and seem to be very interested in our community,” she said. “They seem to be a very nice group of people interested in investing in our community and that’s always a good sign.”

Sharma echoed Twardy’s statements. He said the community has been welcoming of the change and he respects that.

“It’s really wonderful,” he said.

The new Ramada has 164 rooms. While it may seem like a lot, for Sharma, it’s not nearly enough.

“We want more occupancy,” he said. “We want this community to use Ramada more.”