Since 1970 the West Alabama Regional Commission has served as the Local Development District (LDD) for five Appalachian counties in Region 2--Bibb, Fayette, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa. Hale County was added in 1998. WARC was designated the LDD for this area by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and prepares an annual proposal to ARC for administrative grant funds. These funds afford WARC the opportunity to play a vital role in the economic and human resource development of Appalachian Alabama.

Appalachian member governments, their boards, educational institutions and other nonprofits apply to ARC for supplemental grants to fund projects that support the goals of the ARC. ARC goals are (1) to increase job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia to reach parity with the nation, (2) to strengthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy, (3) to develop and improve Appalachia's infrastructure to make the region economically competitive, and (4)build the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia's isolation.