Arsenal Place Accelerator has given many local businesses their start, but Tuesday it was the United Way of Selma-Dallas County giving the business incubator a boost.

The United Way donated $25,000 to Arsenal Place Accelerator Tuesday, which will go toward workshops to train entrepreneurs and to develop an entrepreneur innovation center.

Since it opened in 2014, Arsenal Place has been an asset to the Selma community. G Mommas Cookies, which is now sold in stores across the country, is obviously the incubator’s poster child, but there are several success stories.

Other companies that got their start at Arsenal Place include Revival Coffee Company, Lyon Candles, Southern Racks, Blue Designs, Meghan Stewart Photography and Charlie’s Place.

The mission of Arsenal Place is to build a community around each business that will help them grow at an accelerated rate.

In essence, Arsenal’s organizers believe that businesses grow faster and stronger in a community than by themselves.

Obviously, something is working right, but this isn’t only a chance to thank Arsenal for the work its done in the community. It’s also a chance to praise the United Way, which supports so many local organizations and continues to make a real difference in Dallas County.

The United Way partners with the American Red Cross, Selma-Dallas County YMCA, SABRA Sanctuary, Salvation Army, Bosco Nutrition Center, Special Years Plus, Special Pre-School Program, Cahaba Center Easter Seal, Selma AIR, Literacy Outreach Program, Selma Area Food Bank, Tukabatchee Council of the Boy Scouts, South Central Council of the Girl Scouts and the Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center.

Every donation to the United Way benefits our community greatly. We thank both of these organizations for everything they are doing within Selma and Dallas County.