Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409090040
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
Motorists probably are most familiar with the program through its highway signs declaring that a town, county or city has achieved ``certified business community'' status.
Wayne Sterling, the state's new economic development director, has notified six localities that they have until Dec. 31 to complete the certification process: Culpeper, Dickenson and Gloucester counties, the town of Clarksville, and a combined application from Southampton County and the city of Franklin.
Sterling, an appointee of Gov. George Allen, has decided to ``reallocate resources to marketing and business retention,'' said Martha Steger, spokeswoman for the Department of Economic Development.
Since the business certification program was begun in 1983 under then-Gov. Charles Robb, 42 Virginia localities have been certified - a time-consuming process that required them to show they had the sites, utilities and other resources in place to attract industry.
Steger said the program has served its purpose, with dozens of rural areas recruiting manufacturers.
``It was felt that after 10 years, communities with an interest in the program had really gotten themselves up to snuff,'' she said.
Steger estimated that two staff members worked on certification on a daily basis. But the process took time for other economic development professionals around the state, she said.
The department hasn't received any complaints about the program's elimination, she said.
by CNB