ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 2, 1995 TAG: 9512030016
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
Twice in two months, the Roanoke metropolitan area has posted the state's highest rate of job growth.
The region made up of Roanoke County, Botetourt County, Roanoke and Salem edged out the Richmond area in the job report issued Friday by the Virginia Employment Commission.
Employment grew by 3.6 percent, or 4,900 positions, in the 12 months ended Sept. 30, the agency said. The state posted a relatively meager growth rate of 2.6 percent in the same 12 months.
Economic developer Beth Doughty in Roanoke called the report card a tool she can use to draw new industry.
"It portrays the area as having a vibrant economy," said Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership. "Companies want to go to a place where the community is moving forward, the economy is good."
Cashiers, telemarketers and grocery stock hands fall into the VEC employment category that grew the fastest, a sector called trade, which was up by 5.9 percent in the Roanoke area, or 2,100 jobs. A broad category known as services grew by 4.1 percent, or 1,600 jobs. Manufacturers added 800 jobs, a gain of 4.2 percent. Construction jobs grew by 300 during the year-long period covered by the report.
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Chart by staff: Employment in Virginia Metro areas.by CNB