Selma, AL – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced $500,000 that she helped secure for the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission to support long-term recovery efforts in Selma and Dallas County following the January 12th storms. The grant was awarded by the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and will be used to develop a long-term planning strategy that will incorporate federal, state, and local emergency management agencies, economic development agencies, and housing organizations. 

“Following the devastating January 12th storms, I hosted the first of what will be a series of community conversations to give the residents of Selma and Dallas County an opportunity to share their hopes and dreams for our recovery,” said Rep. Sewell. “Today, 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. 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.”

“Thanks to the efforts of Congresswoman Terri Sewell, the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission has secured a $500,000 Long-Term Recovery Planning Grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for Selma/Dallas County,” said John Clyde Riggs, Executive Director of the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission.

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-driven disaster recovery and resiliency plans,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “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.

Today’s grant announcement is the latest in an ongoing federal, state, and local partnership to recover and rebuild in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District following the January 12th storms. On January 26, Rep. Sewell led the Alabama Congressional Delegation in a letter urging President Biden to increase the federal cost share for the FEMA Public Assistance program for debris removal and emergency protective measures to 100%. This request was granted by President Biden on Thursday, February 9. On March 20, Rep. Sewell hosted the first of a series of community conversations entitled “Selma and Dallas County Reimagined” to give residents an opportunity to share their hopes and dreams for the future of the region. 

A video message from Rep. Sewell is available here.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.