Editor’s Note: The year 2010 is quickly approaching completion. And with the vision of 2011 just ahead this weekend, The Selma Times-Journal wanted to first glance back at the local stories believed to have made the most impact in 2010. Today we unveil the No. 5, 6 and 7 stories on our top 10 list:

It seems the story about Selma, Dallas County and the Black Belt always involves economics. Whether it is new industry or the fight to lower unemployment, the local, state and national economy is always a point of interest.

This year — 2010 — was no different as the area saw the economic foundation of the area improve with unemployment falling from nearly 20 percent in 2009.

Existing companies strengthened their franchises and others began hiring after years of not hiring at all or even lay offs.

Here are three more stories of the Times-Journal’s 2010 top 10.

No. 5: Economic improvements

This year, Selma has seen the roads around Bush Hog close to help business, the construction of the new Craig Field terminal, U.S. military contracts awarded to American Apparel and Plantation Patterns creating more jobs.

The Selma City Council voted in April to close the roads around Bush Hog, a need the company said was a must to ensure their continued operation in Selma. The project is expected to cost $500,000 to complete. Gov. Bob Riley announced the state would provide $300,000 to close the roads around the plant and extend a road over the railroad.

Riley noted this project was a big deal.

“Bush hog is a cornerstone of this (Selma) economy,” Riley said. “I’m happy to give them the recognition they deserve, we’re proud.”

American Apparel received $50 million in military contracts in September to make uniforms for the United States Marine Corps and United States Army. In addition, the company will make $500,000 worth of upgrades and building expansions to the facility.

Jim Hodo, the company’s chief operations officer said the contracts are right on time.

“This will allow us to prevent any future layoffs and give us the ability to hire more employees,” Hodo said.

One of the largest employers in Dallas County, the company holds operations in Oneonta, Opp, Centre and Fort Deposit.

Hodo expects the job market to grow in the future.

“We have about 1,300 employees now,” Hodo said. “I expect these numbers to grow to 1,400.”

Craig Field’s new $400,000 terminal, which is now under construction, will significantly upgrade the airport’s facilities. The state-of-the-art facility will be completed in early 2011.

Plantation Patterns announced in early October it would add more than 100 jobs to the area in the next three years.

No. 6: New Training Center built

State and local officials joined officials from the Alabama Department of Public Safety in early September to unveil the new Alabama Criminal Justice Center, located at Wallace Community College.

The facility, which replaces the one located at Craig Field, trains Alabama State Troopers, Department of Correction officers and other law enforcement cadets for agencies and departments throughout the state.

State Sen. Hank Sanders, WCCS president James M. Mitchell, Alabama Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen and Gov. Bob Riley, were just some dignitaries in attendance at the new center on Sept. 23.

The opening of the new facility ended years of debate on whether Selma would remain the home to the training center.

“We had struggled to keep the state troopers and the corrections here,” Sanders said, standing outside the new $24.5 million project. “But I don’t think we will have to struggle anymore. I think it’s going to be here for a long time.”

No. 7: Selma Schools see leadership change

Selma said goodbye to Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan on June 25 and welcomed current Selma City School superintendent and former Selma High School principal, Donald Jefferson in early July.

Jefferson, who has received degrees from Alabama State University and Troy State University, is all about improving the education system.

“My main objective is to make Selma High School and Selma CHAT Academy more productive academically,” Jefferson said at the time of his appointment.

Since Jefferson took office on July 4 as interim Superintendent, he has worked to improve Selma High School and CHAT Academy’s annual yearly progress (AYP) scores, which had dropped.

“I’ve always said that my main objective is to effectively educate every child in the Selma City School system,” Jefferson said. “I want the quality of education in Selma overall, to be improved,” he said.

Jefferson said it is important for the people of Selma to get behind education.

“It is through education that we have a chance to improve the quality of life in this community,” he said.

Jefferson added his position is often arduous but with more than 30 years in the education system, he’s prepared.

“It takes a lot, but to be able to focus on one thing is actually a blessing,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson became permanent superintendent in October. He and his wife Brenda have been married for 26 years and have a daughter, Tara.