Ten counties and more than 40 municipalities across the state were represented Wednesday night at Carl C. Morgan Convention Center for the 45th annual Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission meeting.

The ATRC holds the meeting every year to bring the counties and municipalities that are part of the commission together.

“We are a big 10 county family, so it is just a good opportunity to socialize and listen to a good speaker,” said John Clyde Riggs, executive director of the commission.

The commission, which was formed in 1969, is a sub-state regional planning and development organization whose goal is to make life better for the people it serves.

Riggs said the relationships built at the annual meeting helps the ATRC make an impact with the projects and programs it takes part in.

“We are an economically disadvantaged area in the state, and we realized a long time ago that if we didn’t band together, we wouldn’t have a whole lot of clout individually,” Riggs said. “But when 10 counties put their political clout together, they become a voice that is heard in Montgomery and Washington.”

The ATRC has established dozens of programs since its founding to help people in the counties and municipalities it serves.

“We run the aging program, which is Meals on Wheels, home healthcare, the Medicaid Waiver program keeping people out of nursing homes and large economic development programs which fund small business loans,” Riggs said.

“We also do grant work for our cities and counties in regards to business locations. We have a senior employment program for people that are age 55 and older, we have a rural transportation program … and many other things.”

Selma Mayor George Evans, who is a board member for the commission, said meeting with elected officials from other cities is a great opportunity for them to share ideas.

“There is nothing new under the sun,” Evans said. “When somebody else is doing it, you’ll learn from them.”

Dallas County Probate Judge and Commission Chairman Kim Ballard, who also serves on the board for the ATRC, said their budget is spent on helping people that are underserved get services they need.

“We have some wonderful programs in all 10 counties,” Ballard said. “We get a lot done. Every bit of our budget is spent very well. We have people who have to make a choice between buying a prescription and eating, and that’s not right.”

For more information on the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission and the programs it offers, visit www.atrcregion6.com.