ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, January 28, 1996               TAG: 9601300006
SECTION: NRV ECONOMY              PAGE: 2    EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 

THE INSIDE STORY

Jobs and business are changing at lightning speed these days. Here in the New River Valley, AT&T is gone and the Radford Army Ammunition Plant is a fraction of its former size. Yet high-tech industries, textiles and service jobs have moved in to replace the lost jobs.

More workers are finding they have to change not only jobs but also skills to stay employed in the '90s.

The New River Bureau of The Roanoke Times in this special Economy '96 edition brings you a detailed look at the changing world of jobs and business in our area.

The skills you will need to stay ahead in the '90s and beyond. Jobs available in the New River Valley. Telecommuting and mid-career changes. The impact of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter. These stories and more in our annual Economy edition will give you a feel for the issues, the people and the pace of change in the valley's economy.

The copy editor was Peggy Bier. The cover photo was shot by Eric Brady and the cover was designed by Steve Stinson.

CONTENTS

Skills a-poppin' 6

Harsh realities 12

Turbo granny 14

Wal-Mart cometh 15

Starving artists 19

Retired or real tired 20

Low pay bites back 22

Maker of wealth 24

Telecommuting 26

Jobs of the future 28

LENGTH: Short :   46 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  Eric Brady. Ron Seco operates a milling machine at 
          Eastern Repair & Fabrication in Christiansburg (ran on page 1). 
          color.