We hope to acquaint you with the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission. We want you to know our purposes, goals and achievements. And we want you to know how the Regional Commission can benefit you and your community.

We are an extension of local government in the region, authorized by the Alabama Legislature. We have no taxing power, we receive no general appropriation from state government. Our programs and activities are financed by dues from member local governments and by grants in services and funds from other regional agencies and the state and federal governments. We are not a federal agency, nor are we another layer of government. Rather, we are voluntary association of local governments with a common goal of keeping as much governmental decision making at the local level as possible.

It is our purpose to work together to strengthen our ten counties and 47 municipalities when there are problems that one of our local governments working alone does not have enough resources to meet. The Regional Commission's goal is to develop and implement policies and programs that can help local governments plan and act together on issues of regional significance. We attempt to achieve this goal by:

*Identifying and studying problems, functions and services in the ten-county Alabama-Tombigbee region and making appropriate policy recommendations.

*Reviewing and coordinating plans and proposals of local and regional governmental agencies and recommending appropriate policies or actions.

*Supporting local government in the region by trying to make it more effective and efficient.

*Involving its members in other regional and local functions as they deem appropriate.

*Assisting local governments in recruiting new industry and working with existing industry to create jobs.

We work for the people of the Alabama Tombigbee region -- through local elected officials. Because the population of each of our towns and counties is very small when compared to the nation or even to Alabama as a whole, the state and federal governments may not take much notice of our individual problems. But, we have found that when we speak as a region of 210,000 people and about 20% of the state's land area, we can be heard when we ask for help. And, if something about state or federal government displeases the people of our region, the state and federal governments are much more likely to listen to ten counties and 47 municipalities with 210,000 people in a 9,700 square-mile area than to one person, one town or even one county.

In summary, the Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission provides a voice for the people of rural southwest Alabama. The Regional Commission is promoting the development the people of the region desire, and it is giving the region's residents a vehicle for helping themselves -- and for helping each other.

ATRC SERVICES

Economic Development District

ATRC's ED staff operates by a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This establishes ATRC as an Economic Development District (EDD) for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) which has funding for infrastructure requirements and job creation. The agencies status as an EDD makes their projects eligible to receive EDA funding and a 10% bonus.

Substate Planning District

The State designates ATRC as Substate District 6. That designation makes the region and its member communities eligible for planning and infrastructure monies.

Grant and Loan Applications

ED staff offers a full range of services to help local governments finance development projects. Staff informs local governments of funding sources, prepares their grant or loan applications, and helps them administer funded grants to insure compliance with federal and state regulations Staff can also assist governments on which projects to pursue. ED staff helps communities secure funding from ADECA, EDA and other state and federal programs. Those grant and loan funds help communities lure employers, provide water and sewer to residents, foster tourism, improve transportation, and provide recreational facilities.

Revolving Loan Fund

The ATRC presently operates a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) that has loaned more than ten million dollars. Funds through the EDA, USDA Rural Development, and a State Bond program are loaned to enhance and improve economic development in this region. Loan fund requirements vary with each program, but low interest rates make this program desireable for many businesses and companies in the ATRC region.

Planning Services

Local planning assistance program is organized around the local planning needs of the region's counties and municipalities. All ten counties and many of the region's cities and towns have completed at least preliminary plans for their own futures. The Regional Commission has participated in and assisted with many of these local plans and continues to assist with plans for development at the local level.

Counties and municipalities desiring assistance in putting their plans into effect consult regularly with the staff. Suggestions are given on ways to promote and control growth and development in accordance with proposed or adopted plans. Several communities use the Regional Commission staff for the review of proposed development to help assure that development will be compatible with community desires.

Area Clearinghouse

ATRC is the region's area-wide clearinghouse. The commission coordinates information about available federal funds and distributes that information to governments. The ATRC Board of Directors also reviews local government plans, applications, and activities.

AREA AGENCY ON AGING

As the Area Agency on Aging Program ATRC provides many services to the region's elderly population. Most of those residents live in areas defined as rural. Rural and low-income residents are the target groups for Aging services. The AAA acts as an advocate for the elderly, plans and manages a system of in-home and community services to help them maintain their independence and dignity, and administers federal, state, local, and private funds to support those services. The AAA reaches these goals by working with federal, state and local officials, elderly constituents, service providers, and volunteer groups. Together they coordinate services and develop new services to help the elderly.

Nutrition

ATRC helps provide many nutrition programs for the region's elderly. The region's nutrition centers annually provide more than 250,000 congregate meals for the elderly. Besides serving meals, the centers give clients nutrition information, recreation and educational programs, and access to various services. The AAA also yearly provides 150,000 home- resolution. delivered meals to homebound elderly.

Employment

The AAA administers the Senior Aides Employment Program, a training program for low/moderate income people 55 years old or older who are unemployed or underemployed. The program provides funding for part-time jobs in community service agencies.

Legal

ATRC has an attorney on staff to provide people aged 60 or over with legal assistance. Legal services include advocacy (helping older people to protect their rights) and counseling (advising clients to help resolve problems).

Ombudsman

ATRC's ombudsman investigator helps to resolve complaints for residents of long-term care facilities. The ombudsman provides residents and their families with mediation and crisis resolution.

Elderly

Senior citizens often need assistance to reach necessary facilities and services, such as medical care, service agencies, and nutrition centers. Public transportation also gives the elderly access to recreational and social events. ATRC helps to fund senior transportation in each of the region's ten counties.

In-Home Services

In-home services are provided to homebound individuals to avoid institutionalization because of illness, disability, or isolation. Services provided include housekeeping assistance, personal and protect telephone visits, home-delivered meals, and respite care.

Outreach and Case Management