ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, November 26, 1996 TAG: 9611260083
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON
New England businessman Gregory Cross will be Franklin County's first director of economic development, County Administrator Macon Sammons said Monday.
Cross has headed his own firm, Datatrends Inc., in Portland, Maine, for the past seven years. Datatrends provides research on economic development issues including site locations, market analyses and business development.
The county has been relying heavily on the Roanoke Regional Economic Development Commission and the West Piedmont Planning District Commission to direct its marketing and push for economic growth.
The county began its move toward a locally driven program last year when it established an economic development commission. Hiring Cross, who will work with the commission, is the next step in the process.
Cross, 45, is married with two children. His annual salary - not yet finalized - will be about $30,000, Sammons said.
Cross, who will start Jan. 1, couldn't be reached Monday for comment.
Cross was one of 40 people who responded to ads for the economic development job, some of which were placed in national trade journals, Sammons said. Three of the 40 applicants were interviewed.
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