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

DATE: SATURDAY, May 27, 1995                   TAG: 9505300044
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VIRGINIA SEES JOBS INCREASE

Employment gains continued in Virginia as 96,700 nonfarm jobs have been added in the year ending in March, a 3.3 percent increase the Virginia Employment Commission termed "impressive."

Roanoke was up 4.6 percent or 6,000 jobs to 137,500, the VEC reported Friday.

The Roanoke economy continued to be fueled by the service sector, where job growth rose by 6.5 percent or 2,400 positions. Second was trade, up 5.3 percent or 1,800 jobs. The commission said these industries are two major functions the Roanoke area provides to the western third of Virginia.

Strong growth was also noted in manufacturing, up 800 jobs; finance, up 400; and construction, up 300.

Roanoke was tied with Northern Virginia for second place with the 4.6 percent, although Northern Virginia created the largest number of new jobs, accounting for 41.7 percent of statewide job growth.

In the state as a whole, services remained the growth leader, accounting for 48.9 percent of the state's increase. The addition of 47,300 service jobs resulted in a 5.9 percent increase in this sector. Of the new service jobs, more than 30,000 were high-wage positions providing business, health and professional services.

The second largest increase in the state was in the trade sector, where 31,800 jobs were added for a 4.9 percent growth rate. Preparations by restaurants and merchants for an ever-increasing wave of spring tourists bound for Virginia contributed to the gain.

Construction employment, boosted by the growing number of commercial projects under way, increased by 9,500 jobs or 6.2 percent to 162,800.

The commission said expanded commerce and increased demand for high-tech communications added 5,900 jobs to the transportation, communications and public utilities sector for a 3.9 percent increase to 155,800.

The financial sector, at 165,400, grew by 2,300 or 1.4 percent.

Total government employment of 612,900 was up 2,200 or 0.4 percent, with all of the growth in local education. Both state and federal government employment decreased from last year.

by CNB