Appalachian Regional Commission Annual Report, 2001.

In fiscal year 2001, the Appalachian Regional Commission invested $63.6 million in 469 economic and human development (nonhighway) projects and $389.6 million in highway projects in Appalachia. The Commission launched a new initiative to promote the development of telecommunications infrastructure, especially in distressed counties. The Commission has continued to push its 5-year entrepreneurship initiative, which addresses entrepreneurial education and training activities, technical and managerial assistance, access to capital and financial assistance for growing companies, the formation of entrepreneurial networks, and technology transfer activities. The Commission funded 58 education projects and continued its work on the Appalachian Higher Education Network, which aims to help participating high schools boost their college-going rates to the national average or higher. Seventeen computer learning labs were established in the region. Efforts to bolster the region's civic capacity continued with the provision of leadership training programs and technical assistance for communities. Efforts to strengthen infrastructure included the completion of 72 more miles of the Appalachian Development Highway System and the provision of water or sewer service to over 24,000 households. During 2001, 68 doctors were placed in the region. Studies were launched on disparities in health status and in health care accessibility, and on health care institutions that are at risk of closure. Tables present funding statistics for the 13 Appalachian states, highway obligations, and population data. Contact information is given for all local development districts in the Appalachian region. (TD)