Representatives with the Delta Regional Authority held a discussion about economic development in the Selma area Friday morning at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

The meeting’s purpose was to get feedback from the Selma community on where DRA funding could provide assistance in the Queen City. Representatives from ArtsRevive, Arsenal Place Accelerator and project managers from Hayneville were among those in attendance.

Among the concerns discussed were the need for more regional development strategies and a lack of available jobs.

“We’re out listening to what it is communities across the Delta Region need,” said Economic Leadership LLC managing partner Ted Abernathy. “Normally, what’s been the case for the DRA is to help with infrastructure, workforce, entrepreneurship and leadership skills.”

The listening sessions are designed to help the DRA gather stakeholder input and ensure that voices of local individuals and businesses are heard when it updates its strategic plan for the next five years.

The organization’s goal is to improve regional opportunities through job creations and entrepreneurial efforts. The DRA works to improve 252 counties and parishes of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

The DRA is in the midst of a ten-city listening session tour that will take it from Illinois to Tennessee. Friday’s stop in Selma was the DRA’s only session scheduled for Alabama.

ArtsRevive member Ann Thomas said she’s glad she attended the meeting because ArtsRevive plans on restoring four buildings on Water Avenue and Church Street.

“The idea I got is we need to look more outside of just what we’re doing and [look at] what we need to do to make things better.”

Selma Mayor George Evans voiced some of the issues citizens and business owners noted within the city. He said there were issues with sewage and storm drains, as well as job training concerns.

“We’re working with businesses and industries to prepare high school and middle school students for jobs,” Evans said.

The state of Alabama has been allocated $1,006,718.70 for projects in transportation, small business and entrepreneurial development and more this year, according to the DRA website.

“It’s the funding that has been allocated for Alabama projects that are funded through what’s called our States Economic Development Assistance Program,” said DRA spokesperson Spencer Lucker.

The DRA, a federal agency, receives its funding from congressional appropriations. A small portion of the money comes from each of the eight states, Lucker said.  Applications for the SEDAP opened in mid-April and are due July 31, Lucker said. He said the DRA will determine what projects it will assist at the end of July and August. Project funding will be announced in September.