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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 23, 1995                   TAG: 9508230054
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

NEW RIVER'S JOB-ATTRACTER LEAVING

Moreno, 57, is being lauded for making the alliance's efforts more professional and for spreading word about the New River Valley across the state and country. The alliance markets Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles and Floyd counties and the city of Radford. It is publicly and privately funded.

"Franklyn built a good reputation for the organization in economic development circles around the state. The state now knows where the New River Valley is," said Joe Morgan, Pulaski County administrator.

"Being the first director of something is really a difficult job," said Beth Doughty, director of the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership. "I think that Franklyn is certainly well-known in the state in economic development circles."

When Moreno arrived in 1990 from southern Illinois, where he was marketing director for a coalition of 16 counties, the New River alliance's efforts were just starting. During his tenure, the group has developed a database of 7,000 leads and had contact with about 60 companies a year that expressed interest in the New River Valley.

Recent successes include H.P. Hydraulics Inc., a maker of hydraulic equipment for mining and construction firms, which agreed to locate in Montgomery County; and Mar-Bal, an insulating materials manufacturer, which decided to open in Pulaski County.

The alliance loaned $325,000 to Pulaski County's Economic Development Authority for the 1994 expansion of the Volvo GM Heavy Truck plant there.

Moreno, who is on vacation until Aug. 31, said the New River Valley has two strong assets: its manufacturing base and its colleges and universities.

He said the valley's officials should emphasize manufacturing, which employs about a third of the area's work force, because it provides a necessary base for a service economy.

Moreno said the valley's diverse manufacturing work force means there are a range of job skills, a drawing card for industry.

"Tech is a major research facility," he said. "We need to build off the technological breakthroughs that are going on there."

Economic development officials see Moreno's departure as a chance to take stock of the valley's past and future development efforts.

Barry Evans, president of the alliance, said he is surveying investors and board members about its directions.

"I have said for a long time we need to be chameleonic," said Evans, an insurance salesman in Pearisburg who has been president of the alliance for a year. "There is always room for change."