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

DATE: SATURDAY, October 8, 1994                   TAG: 9410100041
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

ALLEN SAYS STATE IS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Gov. George Allen said Friday that he will reinforce his message that Virginia is open for business in the wake of Walt Disney Co.'s dropping a planned theme park because of strong opposition.

``The Allen administration is not going to back down to any special interest that opposes jobs and prosperity,'' he told the Virginia Manufacturers Association.

``They can yelp all they want. We're going to continue the way we have been,'' Allen said.

The governor did not mention Disney in his speech, but afterward told reporters he is still willing to work with the company.

``I certainly hope the Walt Disney Co. would want to make a $650 million investment in Virginia,'' Allen said.

As for whether he would again offer massive public subsidies for the project, Allen said, ``It's no use at this point speculating on all that.''

Allen and Commerce and Trade Secretary Robert Skunda said Disney might not need as many road improvements if it chooses another Virginia location.

Disney backed down last week from plans to build a $650 million history-based theme park in Prince William County. The state had agreed to offer $160 million in subsidies, mostly for widening Interstate 66 and other road improvements.

Allen and Skunda said they will have to work harder on marketing Virginia because of the national publicity the Disney announcement received.

The company blamed the threat of lawsuits from park opponents for its retreat.

``We have got a situation in Virginia that we need to correct,'' Skunda said. ``We just have to keep getting the message out.''

by CNB