Plans for the Selma Digital Innovation Center, a new initiative aimed at revitalizing Selma, Alabama, through technology and education, have been unveiled by the Selma Housing Authority, Metro Digital Group, and various community leaders. This ambitious project seeks to transform a historic building at 528 Washington Avenue into a hub for workforce development, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation, targeting students, young adults, entrepreneurs, and the greater Selma community.
Collins Pettaway Jr., President of Progress Partners for Selma, emphasized the project’s broader significance beyond mere redevelopment. “We are creating future opportunity infrastructure for our community,” Pettaway stated, highlighting the need for Selma to adapt to the rapidly changing workforce landscape. The Selma Digital Innovation Center is a collaborative effort involving the Mayor’s Office, Selma City Schools, Selma University, Wallace Community College Selma, and several other partners.
Once completed, the center will feature facilities like gaming and esports environments, streaming studios, AI and STEM learning labs, and spaces for media production and community events. Metro Digital Group, known for its work in gaming and digital engagement, will lead the development. Shaon Berry, President of Metro Digital Group, expressed pride in the collaboration, aiming to foster economic mobility and innovation in historically underserved communities.
The initiative holds symbolic and practical value for Selma, as noted by local leaders including Councilwoman Lesia James, who sees it as a vital partnership for future growth. John Deamer of Progress Partners outlined the center’s mission to expand learning and career opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship, and digital media, removing traditional barriers to success.
Scheduled to commence design and construction planning in June 2026, with a projected opening in 2027, the Selma Digital Innovation Center is actively seeking strategic partners and sponsors. As Roger Blackmon, Progress Partners’ Director of Technology, remarked, the center aims to inspire learners of all ages and create an inclusive environment for family learning, positioning Selma at the forefront of technological advancement.