Governor Robert Bentley has been elected Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) by governors of the 13 states that make up the ARC. The commission was created by Congress in 1965 to improve the quality of life and promote economic development in the Appalachian mountain region. Thirty-seven Alabama counties are located within the ARC region and are eligible to receive funding for improvement projects. read the full article here.
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Birmingham area cities investing more in green spaces
Since 2000, the city of Homewood has invested $1.3 million developing trails and green spaces — most notably its popular three-mile Shades Creek Greenway Trail along Lakeshore Drive, which attracts walkers, joggers and bikers.
The trail and other projects designed to enhance the quality of life in the city won Homewood acclaim in 2011 as the state’s most walkable city by Walk Score. Walk Score ranks communities nationwide based on how many businesses, parks, theaters, schools and other common destinations are within walking distance of any given starting point.
From Birmingham’s 19-acre Railroad Park to Hoover’s Moss Rock Preserve to Clay’s Cosby Lake, many Birmingham-Hoover metro area cities are investing in greenways and parks as a way to market themselves. read the full article on the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham’s website.