A blustery Wednesday morning couldn’t diminish the bright, red ribbon spread across the front porch of Selma’s newest business.

Dr. Rick Jackson, owner of Primary Care Associates, stood on the steps of his office at 3007 Citizens Parkway as gray clouds hung overhead. Cold hands clutched the ribbon as a November wind blew past.

The wind, though, couldn’t dissuade Jackson, his staff and several well-wishers from taking part in the ceremony.

Claire Twardy, executive director of the Selma – Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said Jackson’s presence complemented health care for the area. &uot;We are pleased to have them locate in Selma,&uot; Twardy said. &uot;It’s good to have a new business opening up in the area. It’s great to have them employ Selmians.&uot;

Twardy noted that one of Jackson’s employees, a Selma native, used to commute to Montgomery. Now his commute time will be considerably shorter.

Jackson has an office in Montgomery, but chose to open a satellite office in Selma for several reasons. His Selma office can accommodate anything an eye patient might need, except for surgery.

Surgery is done in Montgomery, but Jackson said all pre-operative procedures were done in Selma. Any post-operative procedures would also take place in town.

Jackson isn’t alone at his office on Citizens Parkway. He’s joined by Dr. Benjamin Harris, who has worked with Jackson for nine years. Dr. Griff Gordy has been with Jackson for almost one year.

Jackson received his undergraduate degree from Huntingdon College in 1980. He graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham’s School of Optometry in 1984. &uot;From there, it’s been work ever since.&uot;

Jackson said his future plans included taking advantage of the chamber to meet community members.

Twardy said Jackson joined the chamber right before its membership blitz, which ends Dec. 4.