ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 28, 1996 TAG: 9612300075
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
MEMO: ***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on Dec. 29.
Correction
The first name of Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke, was
misspelled in a story Saturday.
Concern that the New Century Council might become a government agency competing with the region's economic developers was called baseless Friday by a state lawmaker who said his proposal will deal with a few highway signs.
Del. Clinton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke, said he'll propose a resolution in the General Assembly next month declaring the New Century Region as "Virginia's Technology Corridor." The resolution will ask state road officials to post highway signs carrying the name on Interstates 64, 77 and 81, U.S. 220, 460, 11 and 52, according to Beverly Fitzpatrick, the council's executive director.
Some area economic developers have wondered what form Woodrum's measure would take, fearing it might be an attempt to transform the New Century Council into a government agency supported by taxes. They raised the suggestion the council might take away money from local governments.
The New Century Council is a 3-year-old Roanoke-based visioning organization charged with fostering ideas to raise living standards in Western Virginia. Next year it will be looking for new sources of operating funds, because its state grant will run out.
As the controversy heated up, the Botetourt Board of Supervisors signaled its intention to withdraw from the New Century Council if the organization seeks government-agency status. Officials in Roanoke County, Roanoke, Salem and at the Fifth Planning District Commission also expressed concerns, but only Botetourt took a formal vote of opposition, acting Dec.17.
Friday, Woodrum said officials' fears are unfounded. The resolution he will introduce would merely put the Virginia's Technology Corridor name on record in Richmond and make the sign request formal. Nothing would be added to the Virginia Code, as some officials feared, he said.
But Gerald Burgess, Botetourt's chief administrator, said later Friday that the county would wait to see the Woodrum measure in official form before reacting.
Industrial marketing organizations have said the name Virginia's Technology Corridor would paint a favorable picture of the area and enhance efforts to bring in new companies and jobs.
The region also covers the New River Valley, Alleghany Highlands, Bland County and Wythe County.
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