The aftershocks resulting from comments made by State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice, strongly suggesting the state could potentially take over the Selma City School System, could not only impact the area’s education system, but the area’s economic development as well.

One area that could be affected by a takeover is the recruitment of new businesses and industries to Selma and Dallas County.

Gary Faulkner, Director of Business Development with the Alabama Department of Commerce, said education is something many employers consider once they have narrowed their list of potential sites to a few potential locations.

“Once you get to that short list, clients will look at other amenities like quality of life to break that tie,” Faulkner said. “They’ll look at second, third, fourth tier comparisons of different quality of life factors, and education is certainly one of those. Education is a criteria companies do look at when they do their own due diligence before a possible expansion.”

Faulker said that while it is rare, he has seen examples where the poor quality of education in one location was reason enough for an employer to decide to not locate there.

“I’m not saying it is common,” Faulkner said. “But I have had a client decision that has noted a comparison of circumstance. But that could be important to some employers.”

Wayne Vardaman, president of the Selma and Dallas County Centre for Commerce, agreed that education was one factor businesses consider before moving to a new location, but said he is unsure how a state takeover over the Selma City School System would impact the local economy.

“Education is obviously important for business and it depends on what the state may or may not do here as to how it would affect industry,” Vardaman said. “If it is to give advice and assist, I think that is probably a good thing. If it was some kind of receivership deal, which I can’t see them doing because it is not a financial problem, that would be a lot worse for business.”

Vardaman said he had personally developed a good relationship with the school board over recent years, and said employees from his office had begun teaching courses at city schools to prepare students to enter the workforce.

“I’ve been working with the school administration very closely on trying to help industries do the things that students aren’t necessarily getting right now to qualify for some of these jobs,” Vardaman said. “And they have welcomed us with open arms,”

Vardaman said he hopes the talk of a state takeover would be short-lived, and that the district and its students could continue with the work that lies ahead.

“The main concern I have, that I’m sure any new business would have too, would be that we move on from this and get this thing positive and get the kids so that they can be employed by these industries,” Vardaman said.