
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 21, 1991                   TAG: 9102210174
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Medium

BUSINESSES DIRECTED TO INTERNATIONAL RESOURCE

Businesses in the New River Valley are increasingly looking abroad for new markets, but they are ignoring a tool that could help find them, members of the Blue Ridge World Trade Association were told Wednesday.

The association has set up a data resource center in the Wytheville Community College library with materials furnished by companies already in the export business, said Lisa Ison, a Center for Innovative Technology representative at New River Community College.

"The only thing we're having a little trouble with now - nobody's using the resource center," she told more than 30 people attending an association meeting at the Johnny Appleseed Restaurant.

The association was formed about four months ago by representatives of industries and service-related agencies in Western Virginia.

Besides establishing the trade resource center, the association is working with transportation and finance.

Prestine Macy, southeastern regional marketing manager for the Virginia Port Authority and transportation committee chairman, said a survey is being prepared to find out where Western Virginia companies are shipping products and what kind of help they could use.

An information hot line also is being planned for would-be exporters, she said.

Jane Patton, with McAllister Mills Inc. in Independence and chairman of the finance committee, said a seminar is planned for April 24 at Wytheville Community College on payment methods, letters of credit and other items of interest to exporters and importers.

Cost of attending will be $25 for association members and $45 for non-members.

Rick Williamson, resource center chairman, said a 50-page publication on "How to Export in Southwest Virginia" will be available soon. It will be free to association members.

The association has received letters and telephone calls from trading companies interested in representing Western Virginia firms. The inquiries will be on file at the resource center.

Association dues are $35 for corporations, $20 for individuals and $5 for students. More information is available from the association at P.O. Box 454, Independence, Va., 24348. Or telephone Jill Burcham at (703) 773-2711.

by CNB