The Selma-Dallas Chamber of Commerce has planned a workshop to assist businesses with paperwork, finances and other issues. The workshop is set for Wednesday, March 17, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the Selma-Dallas Public Library in the Vaughan Room.

An examination of recent bidders for the Selma Historic Riverfront Multi-Use Trail Phase 1 indicates how badly some local businesses need guidance for obtaining business from governmental entities.

For example, the engineers for this particular project pointed out several irregularities in the bids received by the city. Almost all of the bidders — many of them local — had mathematical errors for three pay items; did not complete the letting date on the signature page, did not submit the entire bid documents book as required by the Alabama Department of Transportation and did not submit one of the forms required by ALDOT.

Chamber officials want to see local businesses succeed in gaining more contracts. As those businesses thrive because of local projects, their employees have more money to spend with local merchants and, sometimes, those businesses must hire more people, meaning fewer unemployed.

The Selma Times-Journal encourages all business owners in the area who seek to improve their abilities to win contracts to attend this seminar. It’s free and it’s important for their success and the economic viability of the area.