Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 29, 1990                   TAG: 9003290237
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY BUSINESS EDITOR
DATELINE: NATURAL BRIDGE                                LENGTH: Medium

BELT-TIGHTENING FORESEEN IN VA.

Lawrence H. Framme, new secretary of economic development, said at a dinner here Wednesday that the job faced by the Wilder administration in a slow economy is bigger "but we must not lose momentum."

Framme spoke at the eighth annual Business-Industry Recognition Dinner of the Rockbridge Area Economic Development Commission.

In economic development, "we must do a better job of targeting, we must be more efficient and we must have better state planning," he said.

Most important of all, Framme said, is the need for a dynamic state plan coordinating with the private companies. Local development effort can be leveraged by attracting volunteers who will work with government, Framme told business executives from throughout Rockbridge County, Lexington and Buena Vista.

Cooperation in economic development must extend to education, natural resources, and social services, he said. "We must encourage new ideas."

If the state is to succeed in a global economy, it will take innovation and creativity to solve problems.

Virginia faces economic challenges from competitors from around the world who use subsidies from their governments to invade the state under less than ideal conditions, according to Framme.

He said Virginia does not have the luxury of a booming national economy, "so we'll have to fight for every job."

Good economic development is not an accident but the result of a conscientious effort of many people, he said.

Stuart Litvin, executive director of the Rockbridge commission, introduced several officials of expanding companies. They described the growth of their businesses to the audience of more than 300 people.