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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 19, 1994                   TAG: 9401190117
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CONFERENCE CENTER REQUEST CUT

Virginia Tech has trimmed $2 million from its $5.5 million request to the General Assembly for programs and operations at the proposed Hotel Roanoke conference center.

Eliminated were Tech's half of the expenses to operate the center and $600,000 it wanted for continuing-education operations. Operating expenses have to be raised through fees according to state law, said Del. Victor Thomas, D-Roanoke.

Thomas said Tuesday that the amendment request he is sponsoring for Tech asks for $1.7 million for each year of the 1994-96 biennium. The money is for staff and support for a "Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement."

Tech said the corporate training center would offer short courses in a variety of fields through on-site programs in Roanoke and through telecommunications with sites elsewhere in the state.

by CNB