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

DATE: TUESDAY, December 21, 1993                   TAG: 9312210058
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LON WAGNER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

EASTERN FACTORIES OPTIMISTIC

For the first time in a year, manufacturers in the mid-Atlantic region expect employment to remain flat or grow, according to a new Federal Reserve Bank survey.

Though that piece of news may not seem worthy of celebration, it is in contrast to reports for the past year, when manufacturers surveyed indicated they expected employments levels to drop.

The Federal Reserve Bank each month surveys 114 manufacturers in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and the Carolinas. The November report - other than the slight turnaround in the employment picture - mirrored reports over the past year that have shown a slight increase - usually less than 1 percent - in manufacturing activity in the region.

Robert Graboyes, an economist with Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, said the Fed's monthly reports have shown a gradual building of manufacturing activity.

In the November survey, manufacturers expected growth in shipments, new orders, exports and average employee work week.

by CNB