East Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO)


As part of a statewide initiative, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDoT) contracted with the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) to form the East Alabama Rural Planning Organization (East Alabama RPO) in 2007. There has been a mandate under the Transportation Reauthorization Acts, most recently SAFETEA-LU, that requires state transportation departments to establish a consultation process for rural elected officials on transportation issues. ALDoT has responded to this requirement by contracting with the twelve regional councils in Alabama to form Rural Planning Organizations (RPO). The Alabama Department of Transportation's Division Offices have actively participated in the process. ALDoT Division 1, headquartered in Guntersville, covers EARPDC's Etowah and Cherokee Counties, and ALDoT Division 4, headquartered in Alexander City, encompasses EARPDC's Calhoun, Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph, Talladega, and Tallapoosa Counties.

The East Alabama Rural Planning Organization is structured similar to a Metropolitan Planning Organization with a Policy Committee. However, because of the size and travel distances, the region was divided into three RPO districts with District Policy Committees which meet on a quarterly basis. (Map of East Alabama RPO Districts). The Northern District, which is within ALDoT Division 1, encompasses Etowah and Cherokee Counties. The Central District, served by ALDoT Division 4, encompasses Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne and Talladega Counties. The Southern District, also served by ALDoT Division 4, encompasses Chambers, Coosa, Randolph and Tallapoosa Counties. Each RPO District also has a technical Advisory Committee and a Citizens Advisory Committee that meet on a quarterly basis. The mayors and representatives of the county commissions serve on the RPO District Policy Committees along with ALDoT representatives. Each member jurisdiction also appoints representation to the RPO District Technical Advisory Committees and two representatives to the RPO District Citizen Advisory Committees. (East Alabama Rural Planning Organization Committee Structure) (East Alabama Rural Planning Organization Bylaws)


CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information regarding East Alabama RPO, contact:

Dawn Landholm, AICP
Principal Planner
Email:  dawn.landholm@adss.alabama.gov

Patrick Hall
Planner
Email:  patrick.hall@adss.alabama.gov

Telephone:  256/237-6741

If calling after hours, leave message at extension:

148 - Dawn Landholm
149 - Patrick Hall

Fax:  256/237-6763

Mailing address:

East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission
P.O. Box 2186
Anniston, AL 36202

Street Address:

Quintard Tower, Suite 300
1130 Quintard Avenue
Anniston, AL 36201