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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 8, 1993                   TAG: 9312080061
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

VIRGINIA HOIST YOUR INCENTIVES

Virginia must shake off complacency and develop incentives to attract new industry in such areas as aerospace, biotechnology and tourism, a state Chamber of Commerce study says.

"We cannot be complacent and assume that the future for Virginia will necessarily be as bright as our past has been," Robert T. Skunda, the state chamber's chairman, said in unveiling the 22-month study of economic development.

The report, "An Economic Vision for Virginia," said the state must offer incentives to lure aerospace, biotechnology, maritime, manufacturing, systems integration, tourism and international trade companies.

Hugh Keogh, the state chamber's president, said the report was written before the Walt Disney Co. announced last month that it plans to build a theme park in Prince William County, creating 4,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs.

"We have to understand what's going on in the marketplace," Keogh said. "We have to step up to the plate and be ready to swing the bat in that area."

State law prohibits Virginia from offering tax incentives as Alabama did to capture a Mercedes plant this fall.

by CNB