Selma Seeks New Members for Downtown BID, Applications Open Through January

On December 22 the City of Selma opened applications for three openings on the nine member Downtown Selma Business Improvement District board. Business owners and downtown building owners are eligible to apply through January 26, 2026, to help set budgets and direct marketing, beautification, and event programming downtown.

City communications director Jose Moreno said officials are looking for board members who will bring fresh ideas such as new events, social media strategies, and beautification efforts, and who will take an active hands on role in downtown programming like Food Truck Fridays. The BID currently operates with one year terms for members, and city staff are pursuing extending terms to two years so members have more time to advance projects.

The BID governs several functions that directly affect local commercial activity, from allocating funds for promotions to coordinating streetscape improvements. Recent BID successes include boosted activity on Small Business Saturday and the Food Truck Fridays program, developments city leaders point to as evidence that event driven programming can increase foot traffic for downtown merchants. For downtown tenants and property owners this is an immediate opportunity to influence how public resources are deployed to support sales, curb appeal, and visitor experience.

Extending member terms to two years would align with common governance practices intended to provide continuity for multi month projects. Longer terms can make it easier to complete marketing campaigns and infrastructure work, while also raising questions about turnover and accountability if recruitment processes do not broaden the candidate pool. City staff will need to weigh those trade offs as they pursue the change.

Applicants who wish to be considered should contact the City of Selma offices for application details and submission instructions before the January 26, 2026 deadline. With downtown programming showing recent momentum, new board members will have the chance to shape how that momentum translates into sustained economic activity and neighborhood improvements.