IN WYTHE, ONLY ECONOMIC PLAN'S NAME IS NEW

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

DATE: FRIDAY, January 29, 1993                   TAG: 9301290185
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: STATE  
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium
IN WYTHE, ONLY ECONOMIC PLAN'S NAME IS NEW
The draft of an economic development strategic plan largely mirrors the comprehensive plan Wythe County already has in effect, local officials said at Thursday's Joint Industrial Development Authority meeting.
The plan's recommendations cover nine areas:
It calls for a database of accessible material for use in keeping Wythe County certified as ready for industrial development under the state's certification program.
It recommends a different style of zoning that emphasizes performance standards such as how much noise, traffic and water runoff a development would generate.
Other factors in promoting growth while preserving the county's quality of life include keeping private septic systems at a minimum and providing public utilities to growth areas. The increase in mobile homes was noted as a hindrance to housing which a new industry might need for workers.
A long-range industrial development plan would be prepared, identifying the county's inventory of sites and services for new industry. Five to seven professional people would be named to a committee to provide technical assistance to the authority and perhaps meet industrial prospects.
The strengths and weaknesses of the county's economy would be evaluated to see where it could be improved to help interest new industry.
A study would be done on ways to keep existing industry and encourage expansion.
A "micro-loan" program should be developed for potential new downtown businesses when they cannot get conventional financing.
Other possibilities for revitalizing downtown areas could be joining the national Main Street program, as Pulaski and Galax have done, or seeking Community Development Block Grants for that purpose.
An incubation center which would provide reduced rent, technical assistance and other services to entrepreneurs for a year or so until they can move into the community and make room for others.
The county should try to attract tourists throughout the year by providing travelers with information through maps and signs and possibly a toll-free information number.
Another consideration would be developing a convention center to accommodate groups of 200 to 500 people.
Lenders should be encouraged to become more involved in finance development for new business. The Mount Rogers Planning District Commission Revolving Loan Fund and New River Development Fund should be evaluated to see if they are fulfilling the need. If not, a local loan fund should be developed.
The plan was developed by 44 county citizens and students from the Virginia Tech Economic Assistance Center.
Earl Cherry, the authority's executive director, asked that comments on the draft plan be given to him by Feb. 12 so they can be printed with the plan in time for the authority's next meeting Feb. 25.
Memo: Correction  CORRECTION

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB