Plans are in the works to beautify Selmont and to develop Selma’s riverfront through a federal grant.

The Selma City Community Development office is leading these projects, said Elizabeth Driggers, program director of community and planning development.

Driggers said her office is anticipating using a $500,000 grant from U. S. Sen. Richard Shelby’s (R-AL) office to open property on the riverfront as soon as the requirements of the grant are approved.

Besides a $500,000 grant, Driggers also said her office would also be using a $300,000 grant to beautify Highway 80 from the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the Craig Field Airport Authority, something which she called a significant development in Selma.

Driggers said that the office, in conjunction with the Selma Downtown Association, would also be holding a workshop for property owners, businesses and investors in the community Jan. 23, 2003.

Driggers said she was also excited about a billboard that will be placed on I-65 before the Highway 80 Selma exit, advertising the possibility of Hyundai suppliers in Selma.

Driggers said the city would also be working with the Central Alabama Animal Shelter to acquire property for the animal shelter.

Driggers said that all of these things would a positive thing for the community and that it would promote tourism even more in the city of Selma, something, which she said would only make Selma that much stronger.