Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 24, 1993 TAG: 9301260389
SECTION: NEW RIVER VALLEY ECONOMY PAGE: 8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BOUCHER'S `SHOWCASE' TOURS BRING IN PROSPECTS
When it comes to economic development, a host of people are out there trying to sell the New River Valley and the rest of Southwest Virginia to industrial prospects.Not the least of those salespeople is Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, who has just embarked on his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1987, Boucher began what he calls his "Showcasing Southwest Virginia" tours. The idea was to bring business executives he had met through his position on the House Commerce Committee to his 9th District with the hope they would consider the area for a plant location sometime.
Boucher has estimated that his "showcasing" tours have resulted in $100 million in investment and hundreds of new jobs in Southwest Virginia.
Among those, were three separate investments by Warner-Lambert Corp. in the New River Valley and the C&P Telephone directory assistance center in Pulaski County.
In late 1991, Boucher brought officials from the Sony Corp. of America and the Upjohn Co., a major pharmaceutical company, through Southwest Virginia.
Sony executives visited Blacksburg, Radford and Pulaski, and Upjohn managers stopped in Blacksburg and Floyd.
Last year, Warner-Lambert, which had toured with Boucher, announced it was locating the headquarters for its Tetra Sales U.S.A. subsidiary in Blacksburg.
Last January, the federal Bureau of Prisons announced it had picked a site near Jonesville in Lee County for a new medium-security prison. Federal officials had visited the site in 1988.
In 1992, a TRW Steering and Suspension Systems plant was dedicated in Smyth County. The company had become aware of the area through one of Boucher's tours, an official said.
New River Valley economic boosters say Boucher's efforts have provided a valuable complement to other development efforts.
Don Moore, executive director of the Montgomery Regional Economic Development Commission, said he believes Boucher's tours are "very helpful," but he believes some people may misunderstand them.
Boucher is bringing to Southwest Virginia companies that are considered growth companies that might be looking for an industrial site some time in the future. The companies are not necessarily looking for a location right now, Moore said.
Taylor Cole, a Christiansburg banker and chairman of the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, also appreciates Boucher's efforts.
"I think it's great the congressman is doing this. If he could do more, the greater," Cole said.
"The challenge for us is letting people know just how wonderful what we have is," he said. "Anytime anybody can bring a prospect through the area it's worthwhile."