THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 14, 1994 TAG: 9412140432
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM HOLDEN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Al-Anon, the international self-help organization that has guided countless families through the despair of living with alcoholics, will move its corporate headquarters to Virginia Beach, the city announced Tuesday.
The New York City-based organization is expected to build a 30,000-square-foot building at Corporate Landing office park and begin operations by the spring of 1996, said Mark R. Wawner, acting director for the Department of Economic Development.
The move by Al-Anon Family Groups Headquarters Inc. marks the first tenant for the city's 400-acre park, which the Virginia Beach Development Authority purchased in 1988 and 1989.
It also represents a victory for Forward Hampton Roads, the regional economic development group that worked to bring Al-Anon to the region.
``This is a high-profile organization and we feel it will enhance the park's identity,'' Wawner said. ``They provide a valuable service in the world, and we are excited they have chosen Virginia Beach.''
At least two legislative hurdles remain before the deal is finalized.
Al-Anon is a nonprofit organization and to have its status transferred to Virginia, the Virginia Beach City Council and the Virginia General Assembly must grant the company tax-exempt status.
Wawner said legislation will be presented to the City Council on Jan. 3 - preceded by a public hearing - that would allow the organization to operate as a tax-exempt entity. The council's recommendation must then be approved by the General Assembly, which convenes Jan. 11. Generally, approval is granted.
The deal is worth about $2.1 million, including land and the building, which will be located at the southeast corner of Dam Neck Road and Corporate Landing Parkway.
While the city will not generate tax revenue from Al-Anon business operations, other income derived from payroll and the eventual hotel receipts that visiting Al-Anon trainees would create should generate about $30,000 a year for the city, Wawner said.
The organization has about 60 workers on its staff and is expected to bring about 40 to Virginia. The remaining staff could be hired locally.
Al-Anon, incorporated in 1953, is a confidential, 12-step program for people whose lives have been affected by alcoholics. About 32,000 Al-Anon groups exist worldwide to help friends and families of alcoholics. The group is often confused with Alcoholics Anonymous, a separate organization that works directly with alcoholics.
Douglas D. Ellis, president of Ellis Development Co., said the deal culminated a two-year search by Al-Anon for a site.
The brick and glass building that Ellis' company plans to construct will be devoted to administrative offices and Al-Anon's printing and literature distribution services. The company prints a magazine that circulates to an estimated 600,000 people, Ellis said.
``They bring a lot of benefits to the area,'' Ellis said. ``Al-Anon will have conferences throughout the year and that should be of benefit to the hotel, motel and associated meals companies,'' he said. ``And they use a lot of air freight and trucking services to distribute their literature.'' by CNB