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

DATE: FRIDAY, December 30, 1994                   TAG: 9412300114
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

CHAMBER URGES GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER BUDGET PLANS

Concerned that Gov. George Allen's budget plans disproportionately hurt the New River Valley area, the Greater Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce formally has issued a proclamation asking the state to reconsider some of the cuts.

Chief among their concerns are the estimated 300 to 400 jobs that could be cut from forestry and agriculture research programs and Virginia Cooperative Extension, based at Virginia Tech. If they go, they amount to one-third of the 1,100 jobs Allen wants to eliminate from the state work force.

Like many throughout Southwest Virginia, the Blacksburg chamber fears this region has been singled out. But many people are still trying to sort out what the budget's full impact will mean, and no figures yet exist to support that concern.

In its resolution, the chamber asks the governor and General Assembly to reconsider cuts with an eye toward equality among the regions of the state. Among its specific concerns:

$13.2 million in cuts to public school grants statewide will affect Montgomery County.

$12.2 million in cuts to Virginia Tech's agricultural and forestry research, and to extension.

The $2 million elimination of Radford University's New College of Global Stuides - "planned as part of a Montgomery County area economic development project," according to the chamber.

Reductions to local police departments, as well as the elimination of the business, professional, occupational licensing tax, creating an added burden on localities.

The chamber does credit Allen for adding $22.3 million for economic development spending.

by CNB