AS MAYOR, BOWERS SAYS HE'D CONVENE TALKS ON ECONOMY

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

DATE: MONDAY, January 27, 1992                   TAG: 9201270142
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
AS MAYOR, BOWERS SAYS HE'D CONVENE TALKS ON ECONOMY
If he becomes mayor, David Bowers says he will call an economic summit of business, civic and labor leaders to join with political leaders to chart the city's course for the 1990s.
The Roanoke councilman said one of his goals would be to develop an economic program that would create more jobs, assure wider distribution of economic growth and assist city businesses and workers to compete better in a global economy.
"If the president can summon America's business leaders to a junket in Japan, our next mayor can certainly invite our business and working-class leaders to a round table in Roanoke," he said.
Bowers, who is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for mayor, said he would call the summit for July 1, his first day in office if he is elected. He would invite bank presidents, chamber of commerce leaders, union leaders, small business proprietors, contractors and investors and civic organizers.
The city needs to do a better job of helping local businesses compete in the world economy, he said. "We cannot just be the pawns of Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and Japan."
Bowers said he also would:

Create new and better jobs.

Complete some city-owned industrial parks and expand others.

Work for completion of the Hotel Roanoke renovation project, using local contractors and workers.

Redefine the mission of the city's Economic Development Commission.

Increase participation in economic growth by all groups, helping to assure that young people will remain in the Roanoke Valley instead of migrating to other cities seeking work.

Support the proposed new highway link between Roanoke and Blacksburg.

Establish a small-business development network to help businesses learn more about one another's needs and products.

Strengthen city businesses' and workers' ability to compete in the global economy.
Bowers said he wants to stop the drain of Roanoke investment capital into projects in other cities. He favors an expanded partnership between city businesses and schools.
He also wants a closer working relationship with state economic development agencies and a world trade initiative for the city. He supports a stronger tourism program and a $1 million investment in the Virginia Transportation Museum for a larger staff and improvements to its exhibits and facilities.
Keywords:
POLITICS

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB