By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Pelham leaders are looking to resurrect the city’s Industrial Development Board to focus on recruiting commercial and industrial development to the city, and are looking for residents interested in serving on the board.

During a recent City Council work session, Council President Rick Hayes said the board has “not met in multiple years,” and said the council is looking to appoint new members to the board in early 2014.

“We have had candidates with experience in this area come forward already,” Hayes said. “This could be a very helpful board for us in a number of ways.”

Councilman Ron Scott said what is now the Pelham Industrial Development Board was founded in 1965, and said the entity has evolved as the city has grown. In 1994, the board was reduced from nine members to seven members.

According information on the city’s website, the Industrial Development Board “meets on a called basis to approve bonds for industrial development.”

Scott said he would like to add “commercial” to the board’s name to allow it to focus on retail and industrial development in Pelham.

“I think the wording would allow a revitalized Industrial Development Board to do what thy want to do, within Alabama state law, in regards to commercial development,” Scott said. “I believe just as we have had success with the Board of Education, once again we are going to find citizens with the expertise to serve on this board.”

Those interested in serving on the Industrial Development Board should contact Pelham Executive Administrative Assistant Paula Holly at 620-6403 or email her at pholly@pelhamonline.com.