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

DATE: FRIDAY, April 23, 1993                   TAG: 9304230164
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: George Kegley
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

STATE TO GIVE WESTERN VA. 2 HANDS UP IN WORLD TRADE

A new Blue Ridge World Trade Alliance and a state-paid export trade representative will promote overseas business for companies in the Roanoke and New River valleys.

The trade representative, to be based in Roanoke, may work on contract or as a full-time state employee, said April Young, director of the state Department of Economic Development. The position has not been filled, she said.

Nor are members of the new trade alliance in place. Gov. Douglas Wilder is to name 13 citizen members; four delegates and three state senators are to be chosen by the General Assembly. Formation of the trade alliance grew out of a recommendation by the Blue Ridge Economic Development Commission.

Young said Thursday the Roanoke-based trade specialist is not connected to another state plan to encourage economic growth. The state has said it will station two economic development representatives, also new positions, to work on attracting new business in the Roanoke and New River Valley areas. Those slots also have not been filled.

About $100,000 is to be set aside for the trade post and $200,000 for the economic development jobs.

by CNB