ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, November 14, 1996            TAG: 9611140068
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-6  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON

YES, VIRGINIA, WE HAVE OUR OWN TECH CORRIDOR

Virginia's Technology Corridor. The name suggests rows of electronics manufacturers, software inventors and other specialized firms.

In less than two weeks, that label will belong to this part of Western Virginia. The New Century Council chose it and is ready to explain why at a Nov. 25 news conference in Roanoke.

"What we're trying to say is we're major players in fiber optics, wireless and composites," said Beverly Fitzpatrick, executive director of the council, a regional economic development group.

The name will cover the Roanoke and New River valleys, the Alleghany Highlands and Wythe and Bland counties - the communities served by the council.

Economic developers thought they needed a slogan to put on marketing brochures that they send to companies considering doing business in the area, to post on home pages and use at trade shows.

They will continue to use the territory's previously adopted name, "The New Century Region," but will follow it up with "Virginia's Technology Corridor."

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