Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 17, 1993 TAG: 9304170233
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL HOWES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
ECONOMIC PLAN TAKING SHAPE
A Roanoke Valley Business Council proposal to craft a strategic economic development plan for the region likely will not include local political leaders as full participants - a decision that could make implementation of key components difficult."There is a role for the public sector," Thomas Robertson, chairman of the Business Council, said Friday. The council includes the chief executives of the valley's 50 largest employers.
"We don't want to exclude the politicians," he said. "We're not trying to do it in a vacuum; it won't work otherwise. You need people who can cut across boundaries."
The proposal, considered a business community initiative, is beginning to take shape. Virginia Tech and five area chambers of commerce - most of which have their own localized strategic plans - have expressed support for the project.
Ten letters seeking a "facilitator" to help jump-start the process already have received six responses - including one from IBM Corp.'s strategic planning unit, said Robertson, president of Carilion Health System.
Another sign the proposal is more than talk:
The council imported a self-described "futurist" from Redmond, Wash., to address its quarterly meeting Friday morning on how such strategic plans have been done elsewhere.
Many details still must be worked out, including the extent to which political leaders - each with his own turf to protect - may be part of the process.
Indeed, it seems Robertson and other planners want to keep political leaders informed - but not fully involved - precisely because local government is seen as a partial cause of the problems the strategic plan would address.
"If we didn't have five governments in the Roanoke Valley we wouldn't be doing this," said one source close to the planning process who asked not to be identified. "The governmental officials cannot be excluded from this process totally. But they have to be aware . . . ."
Some valley political insiders worry the plan could meet resistance from local government officials who might perceive it as undermining their power and influence.
"I'm not sure the biggest problem won't come from the administrative side, the bureaucrats," the source said, "because the Business Council might put together something that makes sense."
"I think it's a great idea," said Bob Johnson, a Roanoke County supervisor. "Anything anyone can do that can help foster economic development in the valley" is helpful.
"It's amazing what you can get done if you don't worry about who gets the credit," he continued, conceding that some "political egos [may be] bruised" if they perceive the strategic study is being done without their direct involvement.
Robertson, who earlier this week secured the support of Tech President James McComas, said he envisions including a broad cross-section of residents - the black community, nonprofit groups and other civic groups.
Each of the five chambers - Franklin County, Botetourt County, Vinton, Roanoke and Salem-Roanoke County - will be asked to appoint two representatives to the process, still undefined. Some New River Valley groups and jurisdictions may also take part.
"We just haven't got to the point of saying how, when and where," said John Stroud, president of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.