The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) is designed to bring the citizens, both public and private, together to create strategies to improve the District's economy. This document looks at the District's population, economy and resources and establish goals and objectives for economic improvement in the District.

The purpose of the I-20/59 Corridor Study from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa was to assess the development potential of the area and serve as a guide for evaluating future infrastructure and economic development opportunities. The Study consists of mapped and report data related to area demographics, transportation, water and sewer infrastructure, existing land use, environmental and cultural features and soil constraints. The study also includes a Siting Criteria Matrix to be used for the analysis of potential industrial development sites and shows examples of the rating process. The report was prepared for the Appalachian Regional Commission by the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham and the West Alabama Regional Commission. The Study was completed in June of 2001.

The West Alabama Regional Commission and the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission prepared the study of the interstate corridor between Tuscaloosa and Mississippi for the Economic Development Administration. The study includes parts of three counties: Tuscaloosa, Greene and Sumter. Like previous studies of other interstate corridors, the report assesses the economic development potential of the area along the interstate and serves as a guide for local officials and economic developers. The study contains mapped and report data on area demographics, transportation, existing land use, wetlands and floodplains, slope and soils, cultural features and water and sewer infrastructure. The report also contains detailed information on available industrial parks and buildings and areas that have been evaluated for future development. The study was completed in March of 2004.

The Solid Waste Needs Assessment for the West Alabama Region provides a general overview of current solid waste collection practices and disposal facilities within the region. The assessment was prepared in accordance with Section 7 (Title 22, Chapter 27, Section 46) of Act 89-824 governing solid waste management.

This document maps the commuting pattern of workers by county in the West Alabama Region. This information comes from the 2000 Census. There is a map for each of the West Alabama counties. The maps show the number of workers commuting into and out of the counties.

WARC publishes the "Directory of Manufacturing Companies in West Alabama" to promote trade among the industries in West Alabama. It lists a contact person, address, telephone, number of employees, raw materials used and products by county location.

The Commission operates a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to assist local businesses and industries in their start-up and expansion activities. The goal of the program is to create permanent new jobs for citizens of West Alabama while leveraging private sector investments. For more information, contact the Commission's office at (205) 333 2990.

WARC publishes a directory of municipal, county, state and federal officials every other year. The "Regional Directory" is used as a single source of names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons frequently contacted in the daily operation of intergovernmental affairs. The directory is distributed to local governments and state and federal officials, and to others upon request.