Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 24, 1993 TAG: 9309240189
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Gary Weddle told the Alliance membership, at a breakfast just before the start of its first Economic Summit at Radford University, that the Alliance generated 21 industrial prospects and 21 visits from industries last year.
Its goal this year is 60 more prospects and eight visits by representatives of companies expressing interest in the New River Valley for plant locations, he said.
After less than three months, the Alliance already has had four visits, he said. "That's progress."
The 3-year-old Alliance has done some restructuring to keep the public better informed of its activities and refine its targeting of industrial prospects, Weddle said. "We're going to keep score."
The recipient of the Alliance's annual Don H. Overly Volunteer of the Year award was financial consultant Joel S. Williams, who headed the committee that worked on the restructuring. The committee reworked its recommendations three times before they were approved.
"I'm just happy to see that people are talking to me again," Williams said.
April Young, director of the Virginia Department of Economic Development, told the membership that the state's pro-business climate and economic stability worked for a long time in bringing in new business.
That is no longer enough because of the enticements other states are offering industries, she said. "There is an incentive war going on, make no mistake."
Greg Pourier, representing the state Chamber of Commerce board, agreed.
Pourier, a luncheon speaker at the summit, said Virginia offers a good economic climate. "But we've had that for a long time, and our playing field has been changed by our neighboring states and incentives."
Some localities in the New River Valley have their own economic development officials, Weddle said. Their job is to nail down new industry once the Alliance brings the prospect to the region.
If the region's greatest need is expanding its tax base, Weddle said, "that makes us the most important group in the New River Valley."
"If we don't do it, it doesn't get done," he added.
The New River Valley may be able to create more jobs from existing industries than new ones, some of the summit speakers said.
"We have to support the businesses who are already supporting us as we strategically recruit," said Mike Hensley, director of the Virginia Tech Economic Assistance Center.
"They've already chosen us. Let's choose them," he said.
Montgomery County Economic Development Department Director Don Moore, Radford Economic Development Director Jill Barr and Assistant Pulaski County Administrator Peter Huber said they all have programs to work with existing industry.
It has paid off recently in Pulaski County, Huber said, where several existing industries have announced expansions of about 100 jobs each in recent months.
Hensley said Virginia Tech is the valley's biggest employer with nearly 6,000 workers. Pulaski Furniture is next, and is the largest private employer. Radford Army Ammunition Plant, even with downsizing, remains third.
"Diversity is our strength," said Tom Johnson, an economist with Virginia Tech's Agriculture Department.
Johnson said the most likely prospects for the valley will be determined by its infrastructure and people. It has a good shot at high-tech areas such as fiber optics, communications and electronics industries, he said, as well as recreation-related businesses.
Pulaski County is in a jobs paradox. It recently had the largest percentage of unemployment in Virginia. But it also has more manufacturing jobs than any county in the valley, Hensley said.
Montgomery County had the most manufacturing jobs until defense cuts affected the Radford arsenal.
Randall Holiday, senior energy analyst with Appalachian Power Co., said a ripple effect from the Radford job losses probably will mean 1,850 more jobs in trade, service and other areas will be lost as well.
Industrial prospect team members described planned or existing shell buildings in Floyd, Giles and Montgomery counties and the city of Radford.
Pulaski County has bought the 650 acres remaining from the closed AT&T plant at Fairlawn and 50 acres next to New River Valley Airport for future industrial development.
by CNB