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

DATE: THURSDAY, April 6, 1995                   TAG: 9504060076
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

MOTOROLA PLANT IN OFFING NEAR RICHMOND

Gov. George Allen is expected to announce soon that Motorola Inc. will build a $1 billion plant just west of Richmond.

Allen declined comment on a story published Wednesday by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Motorola said it had nothing to announce.

But sources told the paper that state Director of Economic Development Wayne Sterling has been telling them he has the project ``in my hip pocket.'' and he has ``a handshake deal.''

The sources said Allen plans to announce the plant, which could employ as many as 5,000, next week.

``I would say it's imminent,'' said Sen. Walter Stosch, who represents part of Goochland. ``They have looked at us, and I think they'll make the decision soon.'' But, he added: ``I am not in a position to preempt any announcement they would want to make. ... I can't discuss the details.''

Motorola has confirmed it plans to build another semiconductor plant in the United States. It employs 4,500 at one of its main Arizona semiconductor plants and 4,000 at another.

- Associated Press

by CNB