ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, August 22, 1996              TAG: 9608220055
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-8  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS   

INTERSTATE BUSINESSES ARE MAJOR JOB-MAKERS

More than 1,300 Virginia businesses employ 59,000 people at interstate highway interchanges in Virginia, according to an organization that represents the nation's travel plazas and truck stops.

A report from NATSO Inc. shows 582 eateries, 383 gas stations, 290 hotels and motels, 57 fuel stops and 25 full-service travel plazas and truck stops along Virginia's interstates.

Nationwide, 52,045 business that serve motorists are at interstate interchanges, the organization said. They employ 2.43 million people. NATSO, based in Alexandria, said it has contracted with the University of Maryland to document the economic contributions of the interstate highway system.

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