By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—Pelham took another step toward the creation of a Commercial Development Association to replace the previously existing Industrial Development Board as councilman Ron Scott named his recommendations for the new city board at a March 17 work session.

Scott’s recommendations of current Pelham Interim School Superintendent Dr. Tim Alford, Tracey Morant Adams, Clay Alford, Thomas Martin and Lenny Glenn were accepted by the Pelham City Council.

“I agree with those,” said councilwoman Karyl Rice during the City Council work session. “I know all but one of them well, and I agree.”

Now that a group has been chosen, the next step in the process is to create an application and present it to the Pelham City Council to form a CDA. Scott said he anticipates this will be started within the next 24 to 48 hours.

City Council President Rick Hayes seconded the desire for quick action.

“There are many opportunities out there,” said Hayes. “We need to get moving on this front.”

The CDA will replace the IDB, which Hayes noted in a March 6 interview had “sat unused” for five years. City officials state it will also allow great ability to seek and attract retail and new businesses to Pelham.