THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504060354
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Motorola Inc. will build a $1 billion plant near Richmond in Goochland County, sources said.
Sources in economic development and state government quoted Virginia Director of Economic Development Wayne Sterling as saying he has ``a handshake deal'' for a project that is ``in my hip pocket.''
Gov. George F. Allen intends next week to announce the plant will be built in the West Creek office park, the sources said.
``I would say it's imminent,'' said Sen. Walter A. Stosch, R-Henrico County, who represents Goochland's West Creek. ``They have looked at us, and I think they'll make the decision soon.''
Motorola, Allen and Sterling have declined comment.
Motorola, with semiconductor sales up 22 percent last year, earlier said it was considering building a $1 billion semiconductor-manufacturing plant in Richmond or Raleigh employing as many as 5,000 workers.
Directors of the Greater Richmond Partnership, the regional economic development group, said they were unaware of any agreement with Motorola. GRP president Gregory H. Wingfield, at a trade show in Germany, couldn't be reached for comment.
Local government sources said an informal agreement with Motorola assures the city of Richmond will supply water. Thousands of gallons of water are needed for the acids and solvents used to produce semiconductors. by CNB