Sewell secures $500,000 to assist tornado recovery in Selma and Dallas County

Published 3:36 pm Tuesday, May 2, 2023

The Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission will support tornado recovery in Selma and Dallas County, thanks to $500,000 being secured by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07).

Sewell made the announcement on Tuesday about a grant awarded by the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.

The funds  will be used to develop a long-term planning strategy for federal, state, and local emergency management agencies, economic development agencies, and housing to victims for the January that devastated parts of Selma and Dallas County.

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“I’m thrilled to share that we have secured $500,000 from the Economic Development Administration to develop a long-term plan in close coordination with our federal, state, and local partners,” Sewell said. “This grant is a major victory and will go a long way in helping us reimagine our communities. Working together, I know that we will turn tragedy into opportunity and come back even better and stronger than before.”

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo said the grant will help the area with future disasters.

“This investment will help prepare Dallas County for future economic disruptions, such as those caused by recent natural disasters, including 2017’s Hurricane Nate and a tornado earlier this year,” Castillo said.

Senator Katie Britt said the EDA grant will help Selma and Dallas County recover faster.

“As communities across Dallas County work to recover after January’s devastation, this assistance from the EDA will provide critical resources to help ensure that they can be well prepared for future emergencies,” Britt said. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I will continue to partner with local and state officials as we work together to ensure that all Alabamians can live the American Dream.”