Artur Davis, U.S. representative for the Seventh Congressional District, will host a town hall meeting today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hale County Courthouse in Greensboro.

He will provide the public with a 15 to 30-minute congressional update, said Samika Peterson, district communications director. Davis will then open the floor for questions.

He will likely talk about the U.S. budget, budget cuts, and “the impact of Medicare legislation and the nuances that we are discovering … the $113 billion price tag that has been added to the budget … more than the President (Bush) suggested when the legislation was first introduced.”

Before the town hall meeting, Davis will visit the new Safe House Museum in Greensboro. The home was a safe house to the late Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights area of the 1960’s.

Davis has not formally announced his intention to run for re-election this year, Peterson said.

Other events on Davis’ calendar tomorrow include a meeting of Initiative 7 in Birmingham. “Initiative 7 is a non-profit organization that the congressman serves as an honorary chairman to,” Peterson said. “It provides technical assistance and financial support to existing or aspiring small businesses interested in developing the Black Belt and the entire Seventh District.

“There are about 35 projects already on the table. The congressman has assembled a capital consortium group that has $67 million in pre-development capital available to provide low-interest funding to organizations.

“In Hale County alone, Lou’s Bakery (and Deli on Main Street) is the one of the businesses in that initial 35 (projects) that has been receiving technical assistance as far as business plans and any kind assistance she needs to grow her business,” Peterson said.

Looking at his February schedule, Davis will also be the guest speaker at bi-annual African American Achievement Banquet, hosted by The Elite Lindenite Organization, at 5 p.m. on Feb. 29 at Majo’s Activity Center south of Demopolis on Highway 43.