ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: TUESDAY, May 18, 1993                   TAG: 9305180158
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHAMBER JOINS OPERATION OF SMALL-BUSINESS CENTER

The contract to operate the Blue Ridge Small Business Development Center has been taken over from Virginia Tech by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce in a new three-way partnership.

The center, one of a dozen regional operations, is now run by the state Department of Economic Development, Virginia Tech and the Small Business Administration. It will draw $97,000, more than half of its operating budget, from the chamber through dues, offices for the staff of two and volunteers, chamber president John Stroud said Monday. The remaining $72,500 will come from federal, state and local governments.

John Jennings, center director, said his 1993 goal is to help more than 1,000 business operators through seminars and training programs. He also expects to work with 225 business people to create 200 jobs and $3 million in investment.

In 1992, 560 people were helped through seminars and workshops; 129 business people were contacted to create $1.8 million in investment and 85 jobs. - Staff report 


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