Register to Attend RPCGB's 2023 Annual Meeting

The RPCGB invites its Board of Directors and member governments to a meeting every year to discuss various topics impacting the region, as well as vote on new board members and officers. This year, RPCGB is excited to be joined by Director Kenneth Boswell, Executive Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to discuss the upcoming projects and priorities for the ADECA agency. In addition, RPCGB staff from the Planning and Economic Development departments will give presentations on agency projects and new program opportunities.

To register and purchase tickets, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Jesslan Wilson, Director of Economic Development, at jwilson@rpcgb.org.

"Advance Greater Birmingham: CEDS 2023-2028" Published

The RPCGB’s Economic Development Department recently completed and published the five-year update of the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, or CEDS. The CEDS, named “Advance Greater Birmingham” is a a strategy-driven plan for regional economic growth and is designed to prioritize regional economic needs, support capacity building for local communities, and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of the Greater Birmingham region. This document is constructed to be used as a roadmap for advancing and diversifying the regional economy. and member governments and organizations can utilize the content of the CEDS as a guide for the development of grant applications and other projects to enhance economic opportunities for their residents and communities.

The Advance Greater Birmingham CEDS plan can be found here. For more information about the CEDS or the CEDS planning process, please visit the CEDS webpage or contact Jesslan Wilson, Director of Economic Development, at jwilson@rpcgb.org.

RPCGB Awarded USDA Rural Development Grant

In Fall 2022, The RPCGB was awarded a $250,000 cooperative agreement award through the USDA’s “Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge” program. This project will be used to conduct Economic Development Strategic Plans (EDSPs) for three communities - Dora, Nauvoo, and Parrish - in Walker County. These plans will evaluate current market conditions, assets, and gaps, conduct community engagement, and develop a specialized action plan for each municipality reflective other their unique strengths and opportunities. 

These plans will also tie in with the county’s outdoor recreation initiative, and a specific focus for these plans will be evaluating methods to leverage existing assets to establish an outdoor recreation industry and improve broadband connectivity within these areas. To learn more, visit the USDA’s website or contact Jesslan Wilson, Director of Economic Development, at jwilson@rpcgb.org.