The Alabama Rural Action Commission (ARAC) was created by Governor Bob Riley in May of 2007 in order to bring together citizens and organizations from across the state to improve the quality of life throughout our state.  The ARAC is a statewide initiative that is driven by volunteers who want to make a difference in their community in order to make our state an even better place to live.  The ARAC was created following the "Action Model" of the highly successful Black Belt Action Commission that Governor Riley created in 2004. 

Governor Riley charged the Alabama Rural Action Commission with taking action to improve the quality of life in rural Alabama.  The Governor believes that enough studies have been done on the problems and it is now time to take action, get tangible results, and measure those results.

The Alabama Rural Action Commission is comprised of 8 regions of the state representing all 67 Alabama counties.  Governor Riley has appointed an ARAC State Leadership Team as well as Regional Leadership Teams in all 8 ARAC regions.

In phase one, the ARAC is focusing on Economic Development, Education, Health, and Workforce Development.  Other committees can be formed, as needed, in a specific region by their ARAC Regional Leadership Team.

Like the Black Belt Action Commission, the Alabama Rural Action Commission is designed to allow any citizen to join and to volunteer.  Both commissions are community-driven and encourage partnership and collaboration to make a difference and to solve problems.