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

DATE: TUESDAY, September 21, 1993                   TAG: 9309210061
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Paul Dellinger staff writer
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

ECONOMIC SUMMIT SEEKS CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

A search for creative and innovative approaches to solving some of the economic problems facing the New River Valley will be the focus of an all-day economic summit scheduled for Thursday.

"I think the summit is extremely important, in that the discussions will create awareness of the economic conditions in our region," said New River Community College President Ed Barnes, who will speak on the state of the economy during the opening session.

"I also would hope that the summit would bring to light the opportunities we have to make things better," he said.

The summit will start at 9 a.m. with registration in Heth Hall on the Radford University campus.

The opening session will be at 9:30 a.m., when New River Valley Economic Development Alliance President Gary Weddle gives an overview of the organization and its allies working toward improving the regional economy.

Speakers from education, business and municipal and planning agencies will address the economic outlook, local economic development programs, federal and state activities and projections about the future. Each segment will include a question-and-answer session.

Later, the summit will feature a report from the Alliance Prospect Team, which includes Floyd County Administrator Randy Arno, Prudential Insurance agent Barry Evans, Montgomery County Economic Development Department Director Don Moore, Assistant Pulaski County Administrator Peter Huber and Radford Economic Development Director Jill Barr.

The program will end at 4 p.m. A planned evening debate between the two major-party gubernatorial candidates was canceled.

The summit is sponsored by the alliance in cooperation with the New River Valley Planning District Commission, New River Valley Community Vision 2020, Virginia Tech, Radford University and New River Community College.

The $25 registration fee includes materials, lunch and copies of a regional data book and industrial directory. Further information is available from the alliance office (674-3636).

The summit will follow the annual membership meeting of the alliance at 7:30 a.m. in Muse Hall at Radford University.

by CNB