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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 2, 1995                   TAG: 9508020037
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TRADE, SERVICES, FACTORIES ADD JOBS TO ROANOKE AREA

Employment in the Roanoke region rose this spring in the trade, services and manufacturing sectors. The Virginia Employment Commission said Tuesday the metropolitan area work force reached 139,100 positions in May.

The job supply was up 4 percent from a year earlier, the agency said.

The trade and services sectors each grew by 2,100 jobs, while factories hired 600, according to data for Roanoke, Salem and the counties of Roanoke and Botetourt.

Statewide, services remained the fastest growing industry, accounting for 28 percent of all employment. The number of service jobs grew by 42,300 positions, or 5.1 percent, between May 1994 and May 1995. High-technology businesses, health care firms and companies that provide educational and professional services did most of the hiring.

In trade industries across the state, wholesalers hired 5,800 people, restaurants hired 5,400, specialty retailers added 3,600 employees, and grocery stores boosted payrolls by 3,400.

Construction employment, at 171,100 positions in May, hit its highest monthly level in more than four years. There were 7,800 new jobs during the year.

Mining industries posted a job loss of 11.5 percent, or 1,400 positions, the largest decline of any sector.

by CNB