Federal investment targets airport improvements as Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority pursues aviation development, infrastructure modernization and new economic opportunities in Alabama's Black Belt.
SELMA, Ala. | Craig Field Airport in Selma is receiving $250,000 in federal community project funding for airport improvements, marking a new investment in aviation infrastructure and economic development in Alabama's Black Belt region.
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., presented the funding during a ceremony attended by airport officials and community representatives, highlighting continued federal support for infrastructure improvements in Alabama's 7th Congressional District.
The ceremonial check identifies the award as part of Community Project Funding for fiscal year 2026, with $250,000 designated for Craig Field Airport-Selma and specifically allocated for airport improvements.
The funding comes as the Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority works to strengthen its aviation operations, modernize infrastructure and expand the airport's role as an economic development asset for Dallas County and surrounding communities.
Federal investment supports Craig Field's future
Craig Field, a former military aviation installation, serves as a general aviation airport and industrial development center in Selma. Its existing infrastructure, aviation facilities and available industrial property provide opportunities to attract businesses, support workforce training and encourage private investment.
The $250,000 federal allocation represents an additional potential resource for the Authority as it evaluates infrastructure needs and long-term development priorities.
Specific projects to be financed through the award have not yet been publicly detailed in the information accompanying the announcement. The funding designation identifies airport improvements as its intended purpose.
For airport leadership, infrastructure investments are central to maintaining operational capabilities while positioning Craig Field to compete for aviation-related business opportunities.
Those opportunities could include aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, aviation workforce development, specialized training and industrial partnerships.
Craig Field leadership welcomes federal investment
James W. Thomas, executive director of the Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority, welcomed the $250,000 federal investment, describing it as an important step toward strengthening the airport's infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities throughout Selma and Dallas County.
“We sincerely appreciate Congresswoman Terri Sewell's leadership and commitment to securing this important funding for Craig Field Airport,” Thomas said. “This investment will help us strengthen our aviation infrastructure, improve operational safety and position Craig Field for future growth. Our goal is to transform Craig Field into a regional hub for aviation, workforce development and industrial investment while creating meaningful economic opportunities for Selma, Dallas County and Alabama's Black Belt.”
Thomas emphasized that continued collaboration among federal, state and local leaders will be essential to advancing the Authority's long-term development strategy.
“This is more than an investment in an airport. It is an investment in the future of our community,” Thomas added.
Economic development in Alabama's Black Belt
The announcement also underscores the importance of federal infrastructure investment in economically challenged communities across Alabama's Black Belt.
Transportation facilities such as Craig Field can play a role in regional development by providing access to aviation services, supporting existing businesses and creating opportunities for industries requiring specialized transportation infrastructure.
Craig Field's combination of aviation facilities and industrial property offers potential advantages for businesses considering expansion or relocation to the Selma area.
The Authority has been examining opportunities to strengthen partnerships with educational institutions, workforce development organizations and private-sector companies as part of its broader development strategy.
Additional investment in airport infrastructure could help support those efforts, although the precise economic impact of the new funding will depend on the improvements ultimately undertaken.
Next steps for airport improvements
The federal funding announcement represents a significant development for Craig Field, but additional details will be needed to establish the project's scope, implementation schedule and administrative requirements.
Airport officials will need to coordinate with the appropriate funding agencies and review any applicable grant conditions before expenditures can proceed.
The award comes at a time when regional airports face growing pressure to maintain aging infrastructure while seeking new sources of revenue and economic activity.
For Craig Field and the surrounding Selma community, the federal allocation provides an opportunity to advance infrastructure priorities and strengthen the airport's long-term position within Alabama's aviation and industrial development network.
The investment also reinforces Craig Field's potential role in supporting economic growth across Dallas County and the broader Black Belt region.
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