Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 1, 1990 TAG: 9006010055
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
The optimism came from Bob Rogers, founding chairman of the New River Valley Economic Alliance. Conversely, the report on a meeting with Roddy Moore, director of the Blue Ridge Institute at Ferrum College, painted a gloomier picture.
Rogers told the commission that Rocky Knob could be a project that would interest the alliance.
"Small, unique-to-the-area projects like this could be more beneficial to the area in the long run," said Rogers, comparing benefits of locally based development to those of attracting outside industry.
Rogers' words countered the tone set earlier when Patrick County Special Projects Director Ed Stone told of his meeting with Moore.
Stone said Moore "seemed pretty skeptical about some parts of the project," including the idea for separate craft shops, inclusion of a theater and potential for misuse of the Appalachian theme.
The commission was undaunted by the report.
"We need to keep these comments in perspective," Patrick County Administrator David Hoback said. "No doubt he is a bright man and knows something about this area. But we have to take this with a grain of salt. We're talking about doing a feasibility and marketing study. That will decide what is marketable and what's not."
Along these lines, the scope of the project and roles to be played by the various interested bodies should be clearer at the commission's June 27 meeting. That morning, Hoback and Floyd County Administrator Randy Arno will meet with Virginia Tech, National Park Service and possibly state officials.
by CNB