STATEMENT OF DR. GRANT VENN, ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER, ADULT AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, OFFICE OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, ACCOMPANIED BY NICHOLAS OSSO, FACILITIES SPECIALIST

Dr. VENN. Mr. Chairman, we have a very short statement which summarizes our role in the programs.

Mr. WALDIE. Yes, go ahead.

Dr. VENN. I would just read this if it is satisfactory.

I wish to express my appreciation for the opportunity to appear before you today in behalf of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965.

Section 211 of the act authorizes grants to supplement funds provided by the Vocational Education Act of 1963 for construction of school facilities needed for the provision of vocational education in areas of the Appalachian region in which such education is not adequate. Such grants are made in accordance with the provisions of the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Under this authorization State and/or local agencies are required to match funds on a 50-50 basis. Section 214 of the act provides funds to be administered by the Department of Commerce to be used to increase the Federal share of the cost of a project up to the difference between the maximum Federal percentage authorized in the basic program and 80 percent of the cost of a project whenever it is impossible for the State and/or local agencies to provide the required matching funds. Funds have been made available under this section to support three programs administered by the Bureau of Adult and Vocational Educationvocational education, public libraries, and educational television.

A total of $16 million was authorized and has been appropriated under section 211. Project development under this program was very slow in getting underway. During fiscal year 1966, under the provisions of section 211, eight projects were approved and funded at a total cost of $2,547,180 and 18 projects funded under section 214. Mr. WALDIE. May I interrupt you?

Dr. VENN. Yes, sir.

Mr. WALDIE. When those projects are approved, can you just tell me the machinery by which that is accomplished?

Dr. VENN. Yes. When they are approved by the Appalachian Commission, they come to our Division of Vocational Education.

Mr. WALDIE. First, how do they get to the Appalachian Commission?

Dr. VENN. They get to the Appalachian Commission through the State vocational educational departments, and

Mr. WALDIE. Any one of the States within Appalachia?
Dr. VENN. Yes, sir; any one of the 12 States.

Mr. WALDIE. Ánd then the Commission makes the determination, balancing priorities, I guess, that a request from Alabama has a higher priority than a request from West Virginia would?

Dr. VENN. I believe there is an allotment to each State under the Appalachian Commission.

Mr. WALDIE. Oh, is there an allotment to each State?

Dr. VENN. Yes, sir.

Mr. WALDIE. How is that allotment arrived at?

Dr. VENN. That is determined by the Appalachian Commission. Mr. WALDIE. Mr. Burke, if you would hold yourself in readiness after these questions are over.

Please proceed.

Dr. VENN. The unexpended balance of $5,452,820 is available for obligation during fiscal year 1967.

However, during fiscal year 1967 submission of projects has increased enormously and as a result, we now find that we have funded 42 projects requiring $11,882,748 and have approved five projects not yet funded which will require $1,597,066. The nine projects pending approval would require $2,512,303 to fund. To fund these 56 projects during fiscal years 1966 and 1967 would require a grand total of $15,992,117 section 211 funds.

The net effect of this is that we actually have a balance of only some $7,000 now in terms of projects funded and projects pending.

The 12 States in the Appalachian region have an additional 20 projects in the planning state for submission to the Appalachian Commission.

We are requesting an extension of the funding authorization to continue financial support for this program and are asking an additional $7 million for fiscal year 1968 to provide financial assistance for the construction of vocational education facilities which are now in various stages of planning.

The $16 million already appropriated plus the $7 million requested would help support a total of 76 projects providing facilities for training approximately 53,200 students.

Now I might say that I have, if the committee wishes it, the total number of projects funded, by States, amounts of Appalachian money under each section, amount of State and local money, and total cost, as of the 10th of May for all vocational projects and as of the 9th of May for the projects approved under public library construction and the projects approved under educational television facilities which are eligible, which I would be very happy to provide for the record, which would give the complete record of all projects, all amounts of funds as of the 9th or 10th of this month.

Mr. WALDIE. I think that would be helpful. Would you please do that.

(The charts follow:)

APPALACHIAN PROJECTS APPROVED AND FUNDED AS OF MAY 10, 1967
Ka) Funded in fiscal year 1966; (b) funded in fiscal year 1967]

Sec. 211

Sec. 214

VEA of 1963

State

Local

Total

Carter County Extension, Olive Hill

Athens-Hocking-Perry Joint Vocational School and Technical Educational Center, Nel

Total, Ohio