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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 10, 1995                   TAG: 9505100041
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CITIZENS COUNCIL PLANS TO RELEASE ECONOMIC PLAN

The New Century Council plans next month to release its 20-year economic strategy for Western Virginia, officials said Tuesday.

Thomas Robertson, co-chairman of the steering committee of the citizens group plotting strategy for the Roanoke and New River valleys and Alleghany Highlands area, said the 200-page report will be a useful guide.

"I'm very pleased. A lot of new ideas. The committees have worked hard," said Robertson, who also is president of Carilion Health System in Roanoke.

The report is the work of 1,050 people, most of them volunteers who served on committees during the past two years. State lawmakers have given $600,000 to the project for paying staff members and buying supplies and services, including $200,000 to disseminate the report during the next year.

Meeting behind closed doors, the steering committee on Monday debated a draft of the report for the first time and agreed to meet once more, around the end of May.

"It's kind of like the bride the night before the wedding," said Ed Whitmore, a council researcher. "It's not ready for public unveiling."

Although the steering committee recommended changes, "they were generally pleased," said Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., the council's executive director.

by CNB