The Selma Housing Authority, Metro Digital Group, and a coalition of educational and civic leaders have unveiled plans to establish the Selma Digital Innovation Center, aiming to propel Selma into a future marked by innovation and economic empowerment. This initiative will see the transformation of a historic building at 528 Washington Avenue into a hub for workforce development, entrepreneurship, technology, AI, and the creator economy, benefiting students, young adults, entrepreneurs, and the wider Selma community.
“This project is about more than just redeveloping a building,” stated Collins Pettaway Jr., President of Progress Partners for Selma. “We are laying down the infrastructure for future opportunities in our community. As technology rapidly alters the workforce landscape, Selma must position itself to thrive in a modern digital economy.” The project is a collaborative public-private partnership involving the Mayor’s Office, Selma City Schools, Selma University, Wallace Community College Selma, Progress Partners, and Metro Digital Group.
The center is slated to feature a variety of cutting-edge facilities, including gaming and esports environments, creator and streaming studios, AI and STEM learning labs, workforce development classrooms, media production spaces, entrepreneurship programming, and areas for community events. As the lead development and ecosystem deployment partner, Metro Digital Group will spearhead the project, focusing on gaming, STEM, creator economy programming, workforce development, and digital engagement initiatives.
Local leaders underscore the symbolic importance of this initiative as Selma continues its efforts in economic development, education, workforce readiness, and community revitalization. “The future of Selma relies on partnerships like this,” remarked Selma Councilwoman Lesia James. Progress Partners Vice President John Deamer emphasized the initiative’s goal of meeting students and residents where they are while introducing them to future-facing industries and career pathways. “We aim to remove traditional ceilings on learning and opportunity,” he said.
Scheduled to begin design and construction planning in June 2026, with an opening targeted for 2027, the Selma Digital Innovation Center seeks to create an environment where learning and creativity flourish. Progress Partners and Metro Digital Group are actively seeking strategic partners, sponsors, technology providers, and philanthropic collaborators to support the project’s long-term vision for economic mobility and community transformation. Roger Blackmon, Progress Partners Director of Technology, expressed excitement about the dynamic design of the technology rooms, envisioning spaces that will inspire both young and old to learn and create. For more information or partnership opportunities, interested parties can contact Progress Partners for Selma.