Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Officials from the  U.S. Small Business Administration visited areas in Selma that was directly hit by the tornado on January 12.

SBA officials were hosted by the City of Selma, Rep. Terri Sewell’s office, and the  Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce. They met at the Chamber facility and briefly spoke to the media.

The SBA’s goal is to assure disaster recovery funds are made available and are reaching those individuals and businesses affected by the tornado. They discussed how SBA disaster loan assistance can help Queen City recover.

Warren Miller, Senior Advisor – Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA, said the organizations had productive meetings with officials.

“We’re glad to be in Selma and help provide assistance with disaster victims,” Miller said.

Allen Thomas, Southeastern Regional Administrator, said that the SBA is working with FEMA.

Kem R. Fleming, Field Operations Center East Director of SBA, said the organization has already started the process to help local residents.

“We’ve already put our boots on the ground,” Fleming said. “We have a staff of 70 workers already on the ground. We’re encouraging all disaster survivors to apply.”

City of Selma Planning and Development Director Danielle Wooten represented Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr., who has COVID-19.

Melinda Williams represented Sewell.