Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 7, 1992 TAG: 9203070098
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The university's Economic Development Assistance Center will receive $125,000 because it has proved "invaluable" to local businesses, Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, announced Friday.
The amount is about $25,000 more than last year and marks the second round of funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Michael Hensley, director of the center, said he thinks the project will continue to be backed by the government, Tech and other partners.
A large part of this year's grant will be used to assist tourism development in the 9th District.
"Our high mountains, streams and broad valleys offer an outdoor experience unparalleled in the state of Virginia and in most of the nation. These treasures of Virginia's natural heritage make tourism our region's largest untapped potential," Boucher said before leaving the Blacksburg Marriott to attend a meeting in Dickenson County.
The goal, Hensley said, is to help develop a diverse economic base for the future.
Already the center has helped form the Virginia Economic Bridge Initiative, which brings together business leaders from Southwestern and Northern Virginia to enhance the local economy and has been a part of a variety of research, planning and development assistance.
There is more of that to come, Boucher said.
One such project will take place in Giles County, a prospect that has Kenneth Weaver, the county administrator, puffing up his double-breasted jacket.
"This will help us with what we need to go forward in economic development," Weaver said. "It will give us a road map for the next five to 10 years that will show us how to keep industry coming into Giles."
Schools in Giles County have used the center to help develop a link between students and businesses, said Robert McCracken, superintendent of schools.
The union started with Hoechst-Celanese, the county's largest employer.
The schools try to certify that their students have the skills necessary to work in local industry. Businesses and industries help verify the standards and help with the process.
"We call it, for lack of a better term, a mating dance," McCracken said. It helps the Giles schools become "preferred suppliers" to the industries.
by CNB