CDA looks to develop commercial sector

Published 4:53 pm Friday, January 2, 2015

Pelham's CDA is working to develop the city's commercial sector and attract retailers to the city. (File)

Pelham’s CDA is working to develop the city’s commercial sector and attract retailers to the city. (File)

By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—Pelham may soon see more commercial activity as the city’s Commercial Development Authority works to attract businesses and develop the commercial sector.

The CDA was formed in April 2014, replacing the city’s inactive Industrial Development Board. The board’s purpose is to develop the city’s commercial sector and attract retailers to Pelham.

“There are a couple of things that are bubbling up for (the CDA),” Pelham City Council President Rick Hayes said during a Jan. 2 phone interview, adding the city has numerous commercial “opportunities out there.”

The CDA’s five members, Tracey Morant Adams, Thomas Martin, Clay Alford, Lenny Glenn and Dr. Tim Alford, plan to take a tour through the city as a group in order to identify prime areas for development and become more familiar with the city’s commercial landscape.

“They really want a broad brush look at everything,” Hayes said.

Additionally, the City Council is working to secure funding for the CDA.

“The city needs to do some things to help them,” Hayes said, noting the City Council is in the process of putting “all the pieces together” to secure a source of funding. “It gives them the landscape of what they have to work with.”

The CDA will meet to discuss next steps for the board on Jan. 20. The time of the meeting has not yet been determined, updated information will be posted on Pelhamonline.com.