Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 21, 1994 TAG: 9401210063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LON WAGNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
At a news conference at the Glenvar Public Library, council Director Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. released the draft version developed during five months of work among more than 100 Western Virginia business, industry and government leaders.
The council wants the region to be:
A world leader in public and private education.
Among the most desirable places in the world to live and work.
Renowned as the safest and healthiest place to live and work.
A region in which the infrastructure links the region and the world.
A diverse and globally competitive economy.
A partnership of governments investing in tomorrow.
A model for America in leadership, regional identity and creation of 21st century opportunities.
Fitzpatrick emphasized that the vision was a draft, and said task forces - or "New Century teams" - would be formed to work on specific strategies in each of the seven areas. Asked whether the vision might be too broad, or whether any community could set the same goals, Fitzpatrick said details will follow.
"The real work, what I like to call the rubber meeting the road, will come from the New Century teams," he said.
The group is focusing on trying to find a way to better take advantage of the region's colleges and universities to spur economic growth. Fitzpatrick said higher education in Western Virginia already is a $1 billion industry.
"It's like any present industry that we need to protect and nurture and grow," Fitzpatrick said.
The council will consider input from residents at two public hearings: at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Western Virginia Community College and at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at New River Community College.
by CNB