Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 9, 1993 TAG: 9311090238
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B5 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MARION LENGTH: Medium
State tourism officials said they were taken by surprise by a Wall Street Journal article Monday reporting that Disney expects to develop a theme amusement park somewhere in the state.
Patrick McMahan, director of Virginia's Division of Tourism, was making calls after his presentation at the conference trying to get more information on the matter.
"That's news to us. As usual, Disney plays close to the vest," said John Strutner, regional community services manager for the tourism division. "It's just hit all of us cold. Maybe we'll know something in the next seven to 10 days."
Rumors have cropped up in Wythe County off and on for years about Disney's interest in land in the Fort Chiswell area off Interstate 81-77. The rumors have never led to anything concrete and Kitty Grady, public relations director for the town of Wytheville, said Monday she had heard nothing that would connect the Journal article with the periodic rumors.
The conference was organized by the staff of Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, who called tourism "an obvious target of opportunity" as part of the economic development mix along with bringing industry to the region.
Boucher obtained a $1 million congressional appropriation for Southwest Development Financing Inc., set up with representation on its board from all 23 counties and cities in Southwest Virginia to make low-interest loans to businesses with tourism or jobs potential.
Fred Parker, its chairman, said it has already had between 75 and 100 requests for information while its loan application conditions are still being drawn up.
by CNB