Spectrum - Volume 18 Issue 12 November 9, 1995 - Conference targeting development

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Conference targeting development

Spectrum Volume 18 Issue 12 - November 9, 1995

"Opportunities for Enhancing Development in Western Virginia" will be the theme of the fourth annual Western Virginia Strategic Development Conference, which will be held 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. on November 30 at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.

"Over the past several years, these conferences have been very important in bringing regional leaders together for networking and planning regarding major economic-development issues such as higher education and transportation," said Shirley Gerken, leadership development specialist in Virginia Tech's Public Service Programs and a conference planner.

Included in the day's sessions will be an overview of strategic planning initiatives in Western Virginia; concurrent sessions on transportation, telecommunications, higher education in economic development, and water and natural resources; and discussions on the action agenda emerging from the concurrent sessions. The meeting will conclude with a presentation by Jackson Ramsey, provost of the College of Integrated Science and Technology at James Madison University (JMU), on "How We Make the Action Agenda Reality."

The conference is sponsored by the Interstate 81 Corridor Council, the Planning District Commissions along the corridor, JMU Office of Continuing Education and External Programs, JMU Center for Business and Economic Development, JMU Valley of Virginia Partnership for Education, Virginia Tech, Tech's Public Service Programs, and Tech's Center on Rural Development. Co-sponsors are the Blue Ridge Economic Development Commission, Forward Southwest Virginia, New Century Council, and Virginia Council on Child Day Care and Early Childhood Programs.

The deadline to register for the conference is November 27. A registration fee of $50 includes lunch, breaks, and conference proceedings.

For more information on the conference, call Gerken at 1-7966. For information on registering, call the Fifth PDC at (540) 343-4417.