Here’s a Web site you’ll find interesting. It lists the 300 shovel-ready projects in Alabama turned in for the stimulus project.

Notice that Selma isn’t on the stimulus list.

Yet, about two weeks ago, STJ Managing Editor George L. Jones and I wrote this:

City and county officials have compiled lists of shovel-ready projects that could benefit from the recovery package. Wayne Vardaman, executive director of the Selma & Dallas County Economic Development Authority, said he had sent the projects to the state already. The Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority Board also have plans for major projects.

And more

City and county officials have compiled lists of shovel-ready projects that could benefit from the recovery package. Wayne Vardaman, executive director of the Selma & Dallas County Economic Development Authority, said he had sent the projects to the state already. The Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority Board also have plans for major projects.

And even more:

Charlotte Griffeth, director of Selma Community Development Department, said the city submitted plans for projects that are ready for construction. “I think Selma is in a good position to receive some of this stimulus money,” she said.

You can read the entire story here.

The only thing that makes sense is the city and other entities are waiting on federal grants — to compete for federal grants on these projects. Here’s the caveat on the stimulus Web site under FAQs

9. Why is my city not listed?

The data on this site comes from the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ MainStreet Economic Recovery Report. If a city did not include its “shovel-ready” projects on that list, you won’t find it here. However, this does not mean that cities that are not included here do not have projects they’d like to see funded. Once the stimulus bill passes, cites will make requests for federal grants, and we will likely see grants to projects not listed on this site.