Alabama’s regional councils exist to coordinate services for the growth of regions. The work of the regional councils is shaped largely by a shared vision, values, goals, and objectives. Each council takes numerous and varied actions to implement these values. An examination of the activities and services performed by Alabama’s regional councils indicates a commitment to providing high quality, professional planning and development services across the State. Although each regional council differs with regard to the exact menu of services offered, there is a degree of consistency. Alabama’s regional councils will take action to implement the vision of this statewide strategy. Where appropriate, Alabama’s regional councils will…
- Maintain Stakeholder Communications. Work closely with stakeholders and elected officials to plan and implement economic development under the direction, guidance, and funding of the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The councils will establish continuous planning process to develop and implement regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). The regional councils will maintain active CEDS committees, compliant board membership, and meet EDA’s requirements for reporting performance toward implementation.
- Provide Technical Assistance. Provide technical assistance to local governments for grant writing, planning, information, guidance, etc. for economic and community development. The regional councils will continue to be a resource for local governments across the State, improving understanding of and access to the resources necessary for successful economic and community development. The councils will facilitate the involvement of additional stakeholders, coordinate and leverage resources, and provide support services to improve the capacity of local governments as a means of improving statewide capacity for economic and community development success.
- Coordinate Planning. Coordinate transportation planning and transit programs in rural and urban areas, as appropriate. Through Rural and Metropolitan Planning Organizations, the Regional Councils will plan for improvements to transportation infrastructure and transit opportunities across the State. The councils will facilitate required planning and outreach for programs related to transportation and transit.
- Expand Leadership Capacity. Work with boards and commissions across the State to expand and improve leadership, workforce development, and community development capacity. The Regional Councils will continue to work alongside established partners such as the Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) program, the State Workforce Development Councils, and the Rural Action Commissions to plan, find funding, and implement programs to improve economic and community development across the State.
Although each regional council offers different services, these important actions are common across the State and are necessary to implement the State strategy. Alabama’s Regional Councils will continue to offer these and other services throughout the State. Additionally, each regional council will work to strengthen and improve relationships and partnerships with federal, State, and local stakeholders and agencies that may offer these or similar services.
In addition to the actions generally listed above, each Regional Council, in the development of its regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, must detail a plan of action. The plan of action to implement the regional goals and objectives may contain any number of areas of focus depending on the particular needs of the particular region.
However, according to the Economic Development Administration, there are seven strategies that should be included in any plan of action. Any plan of action should include strategies to:
- Promote economic development and opportunity;
- Foster effective transportation access;
- Enhance and protect the environment;
- Maximize effective development and use of the workforce consistent with any applicable State or local workforce development strategy;
- Promote the use of technology in economic development, including access to high-speed telecommunications;
- Balance resources through sound management of physical development; and
- Obtain and utilize adequate funds and other resources.