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

DATE: SATURDAY, October 16, 1993                   TAG: 9310160219
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

`VISIONARIES' GET $200,000 TO AID ECONOMIC GROWTH

It's official: The $200,000 in state funds set aside for promoting economic development between Roanoke and Radford will go to Virginia Tech to support the New Century Council.

"The New Century Council brings a unique opportunity for creating a significant and far-reaching economic influence on the region," Gov. Douglas Wilder said in a statement. "And this comes at a time when the need for larger economic blocs is becoming a necessity if we are to remain competitive in the global marketplace."

Del. Victor Thomas, D-Roanoke, secured the money in the state budget during the past legislative session. At the time, he envisioned the state would hire two job recruiters to work in the Roanoke and New River valleys.

The state was reluctant to do that, so it invited existing economic development groups to apply for the funds.

Virginia Tech was among those that applied, and by this fall most economic development leaders in the region assumed Tech would get the grant.

The money will go to support the New Century Council, the creation of Tech and the Roanoke Valley Business Council, as it goes about crafting a long-range economic vision for the region.

by CNB