Narrative text, tables, maps, and photographs present an overview of the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) activities in fiscal year 1979, past achievements, and future goals. Major accomplishments of 1979 include: utilization of the $233 million appropriation for highway construction; approval of over $143 million in ARC funds for 985 projects in areas such as health, child development, vocational education, community development, energy, environment, natural resources, housing, research, and technical assistance; conducting a regionwide conference on ARC programs for children and families; planning a regionwide conference on utilization of Appalachian coal resources; completing Congressionally mandated studies on medical indigency and natural hazards; and establishing an advisory committee on cultural resources. Part I describes, program by program, the plan that ARC has followed over its 15-year history in attempting to revitalize the Region's economic and social development. Chapters summarize projects in the areas of transportation, enterprise development, health, education, child development, housing, community development, energy, environment, natural resources, and finances. Part II examines fiscal 1979 and presents maps, county population change data, program categories, amounts, and sources of funding for each of the 13 Appalachian states. A directory provides local development district addresses. (NEC)