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MONTGOMERY — Gov. Robert Bentley last week signed Executive Order Number Five, establishing the Alabama Rural Development Office.
Then he chose a former adversary to run it.

The purpose of the new office is to improve and advance education, healthcare, and economic development in the rural areas of Alabama.

The Executive Order also rescinds previous Executive Orders which created the Black Belt Action Commission and the Alabama Rural Action Commission. The missions and responsibilities of the Black Belt Action Commission and the Alabama Rural Action Commission will now be implemented by the Alabama Rural Development Office.

Gov. Bentley named former Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks Director of the ARDO. Sparks was also the 2010 Democratic nominee for governor.

Bentley said his former opponent and he share a common desire to create a better quality of life for Alabama’s rural areas.

“During the campaign, I got to know Commissioner Sparks well and the one issue we could always agree upon is the need to improve the lives of those who live in our rural communities,” Bentley said. “This is an example of how we can put politics aside and work together for the common good of all Alabamians. I appreciate his willingness to serve.”

Sparks said he looks forward to leading the Alabama Rural Development Office and working with the governor.

“It’s an honor to work with Governor Bentley on rural issues. I look forward to implementing the Governor’s policies improving the quality of life in some of our state’s poorest regions.”

The Executive Order provides that members of the ARDO be appointed by the governor. It also requires the director to work with existing department heads, commissioners and directors to coordinate the efforts of their organizations to support, aid, or assist in the education, healthcare, and economic development of rural areas.

The fiscal agency of the Alabama Rural Development Office is the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.