ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, July 26, 1996 TAG: 9607260066
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGE0N
Roanoke's new business incubator will be called The New Century Venture Center, the second name for the facility since it's been on the drawing board. The name was announced Thursday during the facility's ceremonial opening.
New Century refers to an ongoing regional planning group, and the incubator adopted its new name to support that effort, said Lisa Ison, the small-business development center's manager. In addition, the name was derived from the notion that small businesses are ventures - fraught with risk and opportunity.
The old name, which appeared on a brochure given to prospective tenants, was the Regional Enterprise Center.
Also Thursday, NationsBank announced a $5,000 contribution to the project at 1354 Eighth St. SW. It will pay to furnish and buy audio-visual equipment for a conference room in the 29,000-square-foot building, which is to be shared by 15 to 30 businesses as tenants can be found.
The project already received donations of goods and services worth more than $25,000 and other support from 45 area businesses, organizations and individuals.
The project, intended to provide temporary, low-cost shelter for start-up companies, was spearheaded by Roanoke accountant Hope Player, who had help from business and government leaders, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Center for Innovative Technology, Virginia General Assembly and city of Roanoke.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB