Goals, objectives, and strategies for development in the 13 states involved in the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) are detailed in this document adopted by ARC in 1977. The regional development plan incorporates earlier evaluation and program design efforts, discussion from an issues report, state comments and development plans, and public meetings results. A section on Appalachia today records conditions (geography, population, jobs, incomes, housing and community facilities, health and education, energy, natural resources, government) and issues (growth, human services, natural resources, cooperation between governments and government and the private sector). Regional goals are discussed in terms of: economic development and institutional demonstration of this Federal multistate mechanism for improved performance of government. The last half of the document covers development policies (aimed at achieving the most return from limited funds allocated to help the region solve its special problems and promote its economic development) and development strategies, under which objectives for seven major functional areas are outlined: transportation, community development (in rural, suburban, and urban areas), human services (health, education, child development), energy, natural resources, and government. (RS)