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The Selma Redevelopment Authority (SRA) has hired Sarah Aghedo as executive director effective Jan. 1 and immediately began an onboarding process focusing on downtown revitalization through the Main Street program.

This past October, SRA agreed to begin a year-long process as a Main Street Alabama Aspiring Community, which is a steppingstone to becoming a Designated Community, the highest level of participation. Selma was Alabama’s first community to participate in the Main Street program beginning back in 1983, moving to a Network Community in 2015, and has seen the downtown decline in recent years, which turned SRA’s focus back to the trademarked Main Street Four-Point Approach of Design, Organization, Promotion, and Economic Vitality.

In order to pursue these four steps, Main Street Alabama requires that SRA has an executive director in place for management and accountability.

“This is a great opportunity to bring our downtown businesses together to help each other succeed,” said chairwoman Martha Lockett, “and I think we’ve got the right person for the job.”

Sarah Aghedo is a long-time resident of Selma, who has a vested interest in the downtown business district and says she’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

“My family is here; my children were raised here, and I want Selma to be a place where they want to move back,” Aghedo said.

Aghedo’s resume highlights volunteering with the Peace Corps, work with Selma’s Long-Term Recovery Committee (post-tornado), acquiring over $95,000 in historic preservation grants and earning master’s degrees in public administration and in arts in international affairs from Ohio University. She has been a teacher, research analyst and financial consultant, which can all play roles in moving SRA and downtown Selma forward.

“I really just want to highlight what other organizations are doing in Selma and try to get everybody on the same page,” Aghedo said, “when we work together, we all win.”

Chairwoman Lockett agreed and said, “A rising tide certainly lifts all boats. One win turns into two wins, three wins, and so on.”

This could not happen without support from the City of Selma, which budgeted $40,000 in the current budget, and the Daniels Foundation, which approved a matching grant to bring a part-time executive director on full-time in Spring of 2025.

“Local government and private foundation participation make Main Street the ideal public-private partnership for revitalization of historic, rural downtowns,” said Mary Helmer Wirth, Main Street Alabama President/State Coordinator. She adds, “we are excited to have SRA onboard and are looking forward to working with Sarah, local officials, and local business and property owners in the near future.”  Part of Main Street Alabama’s agreement with SRA includes several upcoming meetings and workshops with key stakeholders.

For more information about SRA and the upcoming meetings with Main Street Alabama, follow SRA on Facebook and Instagram, or visit their website at www.selmara.org, or email info@selmara.org.  Selma Redevelopment Authority is an incorporated 501c6 and holds public meetings on the third Thursday of each month at 4 p.m.