offerings, and services that support both residents and the growing professional base tied to the medical sector. HOUSING THAT SUPPORTS THE WORKFORCE Selma is adding housing where it can, including projects designed to help keep workers close to employment centers in a corridor where travel times can be unpredictable—particularly with I-35 construction affecting commutes. The Lookout Pointe Apartments project is in early stages, currently focused on grading and groundwork, with vertical construction still to come. The city expects a multi-year timeline, but views multifamily housing as a key pressure valve for housing availability and affordability, especially as industrial square footage grows and demand increases for nearby living options. The opening of Selma Elementary School this fall also reinforces a broader signal: Selma is continuing to invest in the infrastructure of family life. Early responses have been positive, with community concerns focused less on opposition and more on safety improvements such as crosswalks and traffic flow during pickup and drop-off periods. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: EARLY STEPS AND GROWING POTENTIAL While Selma has not yet formalized workforce development initiatives directly with the local school districts, Agee notes that partnerships have historically been strong with Judson ISD and that city leadership maintains an active and supportive posture. With Selma Elementary now open, there is clear opportunity for deeper collaboration in the years ahead—particularly as school systems nationwide intensify career pathway programming to address trades and skilled labor shortages. Agee also notes that Selma’s broader regional workforce pool remains a major advantage. The DFW-area labor shortage trends are felt in many markets, but Selma benefits from access to a large, skilled metro workforce, reducing immediate hiring 83 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 SELMA, TX
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