Tombigbee area added to Rural Action Commission

MONTGOMERY- Gerald Dial, executive director of the Alabama Rural Action Commission, announced the addition of the Tombigbee Region to the Alabama Rural Action Commission (ARAC). The region will consist of Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Marengo, Monroe, Perry, Sumter, Washington and Wilcox counties.

"The announcement of ThyssenKrupp locating on the Washington County border will drastically change the dynamic of that part of Alabama," said Dial. "The addition of the Tombigbee Action Commission will allow us to provide more competitive opportunities for that part of the state." John Harrison and Margaret Bentley, state co-chairmen of ARAC, applauded the move saying it would benefit the area.

"This provides an added opportunity for the area to participate in the tremendous economic expansion we are experiencing here in Alabama," Harrison said. "The economic landscape of Alabama has never been better and we want to ensure that all areas of Alabama actively participate."

Bentley, who previously served as co-chairman of Gov. Bob Riley's Black Belt Action Commission, said the creation of the region will ensure the Black Belt and neighboring counties with similar needs receive or continue to receive the support to help them thrive.

"The addition of the Tombigbee region will ensure we are able to continue the original BBAC while opening up more opportunities to other counties in the region as well," Bentley said.

The inclusion of Washington, Clarke, Monroe and Conecuh counties in the Tombigbee region of ARAC differs from those assigned by Riley in the Executive Order creating the BBAC, though these counties share a great deal of the same staggering adversities.

The plan is designed so all of rural Alabama can be completely involved in the Alabama Rural Action Commission, while allowing the Black Belt Action Commission (BBAC) to continue as originally established. The BBAC has been successful in health, education and other committees all focused on improving the quality of life for the region and will continue making improvements to provide further opportunities. This plan also follows the regional planning districts and allows ARAC to serve the region more completely through the Tombigbee Action Commission.

"Gov. Riley's vision, both for the Black Belt and for all of rural Alabama, has and will continue to produce remarkable outcomes with a positive impact on our state," Dial said. "ARAC has been organized and is in the process of conducting regional meetings in each of its assigned eight regions of the state.

"I want to encourage citizens to attend the meetings in their region and provide input into the problems and solutions for their area. The purpose for the ARAC process is to allow open participation for all concerned citizens of Alabama."

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