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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 2, 1994                   TAG: 9411020049
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                 LENGTH: Short

CORNING'S NEWS APPLAUDED

Montgomery County officials hailed an announcement Tuesday that Corning Inc. would expand its plant as a sign of a long-term commitment to the New River Valley.

"We're very pleased," said Dwayne Kittle, chairman of the Montgomery Regional Economic Development Commission. "If they're going to expand here, that means they're committed here."

Corning announced a $25 million expansion of its Blacksburg plant that's to be completed by January 1996. The company hasn't yet said how many new jobs will be added to the plant, which already employs slightly more than 200 workers. A $12 million expansion announced nearly two years ago added about 30 employees. The 29-year-old plant, located on U.S. 460 on the northern edge of Christiansburg, produces ceramic filters that are the heart of catalytic converters used to filter pollutants from automobile exhaust.

Montgomery Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Nick Rush called the announcement "great news" for the region.

"I believe it's a long-term commitment from Corning which goes a long way to diversify Montgomery County's and the New River Valley's economy," Rush said.

See story on Page B8.

by CNB