116 STAT. 1254 PUBLIC LAW 107-217 —AUG. 21, 2002 (C) implementing programs and projects carried out in the region by federal, state, and local governmental agencies so as to better meet the special problems generated in the region by the Nation's energy needs and policies, including problems of transportation, housing, community facilities, and human services, (c) 1998 FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. — (1) FINDINGS.— Congress further finds and declares that while substantial progress has been made in fulfilling many of the objectives of this subtitle, rapidly changing national and global economies over the decade ending November 13, 1998, have created new problems and challenges for rural areas throughout the United States and especially for the Appalachian region. (2) PURPOSE. —In addition to the purposes stated in subsections (a) and (b), it is the purpose of this subtitle— (A) to assist the Appalachian region in— (i) providing the infrastructure necessary for economic and human resource development; (ii) developing the region's industry; (iii) building entrepreneurial communities; (iv) generating a diversified regional economy; and (v) making the region's industrial and commercieJ resources more competitive in national and world markets; (B) to provide a framework for coordinating federal, state, and local initiatives to respond to the economic competitiveness challenges in the Appalachian region through— (i) improving the skills of the region's workforce; (ii) adapting and applying new technologies for the region's businesses, including eco-industrial development technologies; and (iii) improving the access of the region's businesses to the technical and financial resources necessary to development of the businesses; and (C) to address the needs of severely and persistently distressed areas of the Appalachian region and focus special attention on the areas of greatest need so as to provide a fairer opportunity for the people of the region to share the quality of life generally enjoyed by citizens across the United States. §14102. Definitions (a) DEFINITIONS. —In this subtitle— (1) APPALACHIAN REGION.— The term "Appalachian region" means that area of the eastern United States consisting of the following counties (including any political subdivision located within the area): (A) In Alabama, the counties of Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, De Kalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Macon, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Pickens, Randolph, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston. (B) In Georgia, the counties of Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dade, Dawson, Douglas, Elbert, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer,
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