THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 2, 1995 TAG: 9509300205
SECTION: BUSINESS WEEKLY PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: TALK OF THE TOWN
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
``I don't think it's a problem yet. It's still perceived to be fairly good. I don't say top quality. I say fairly good.''
John Hazel is talking, airing his thoughts on the quality of Virginia's labor force. A McLean lawyer, developer and political insider, Hazel's opinion of the labor force would be hardly worth mentioning on another day.
These days, however, what he says merits reporting if only because he heads the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, a group of corporate chieftains that lobbied the state government for an additional $200 million a year for the public colleges.
``I think the only thing that's held it (Virginia's higher education system) together the last few years is the constant increases in tuition,'' Hazel said. ``But if you want an educated labor force in the future with any level of quality, you have to put more money into the colleges.''
Virginia's public colleges, incidentally, want more than $1.3 billion in the next two years to buy land, erect buildings and renovate old structures. What's behind the expenditure? Rising enrollment.
Projections call for the 15 four-year colleges to enroll 225,000 students in 2008, up almost 37 percent from this year's 165,000 students. The 24 community colleges expect enrollment to increase from 130,000 to about 145,000 by 2008.
In Hampton Roads, Old Dominion University intends to expand its Norfolk campus, create a new campus in Virginia Beach and build a convocation center and a telecommunications center. Norfolk State University wants to add onto and renovate some buildings.
Christopher Newport University wants to build a new convocation center in Newport News. The College of William and Mary wants to renovate its library and science buildings in Williamsburg. Thomas Nelson Community College wants more classroom space and a Williamsburg-area campus.
Faster trains: Trains run from Norfolk to Richmond to Washington. Top speed is usually 60 mph. Put trains on the tracks that can tilt on curves and ride on independent axles and the speed rises to 97 mph. Even 135 is possible.
``It puts less strain on the outside of the rails,'' transportation official Leo J. Bevon told about 100 state economic development officials last week in Williamsburg.
His department already has received $14 million from the Commonwealth Transportation Board to set in motion improvements allowing the faster speeds.
Bwawk! Bwawk! Tyson Foods Inc., famous for chickens and turkeys, has signed on as title sponsor for the Ice Capades' 1995-96 tour. The ice show, which is controlled by Virginia Beach-based International Family Entertainment Inc., launches its new tour this month in Amarillo, Texas.
Workers comp: The State Corporation Commission will review worker compensation insurance rate cuts today. Virginia's Bureau of Insurance staff recommended the SCC trim the base rate 14.1 percent. That's a half-point less than the 13.6 percent cut proposed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which represents insurers.
For assigned-risk policies, an insurance-of-last-resort program, the bureau staff recommended a 17.7 percent cut. The council had asked for a 9.3 percent reduction.
Last year, the SCC approved a 5 percent decrease in the base rates for most workers' comp policies, instead of the 7 percent increase sought by the insurers. And the commission approved a 5.3 percent increase in assigned-risk rates, instead of the 22 percent the insurers requested. The actual rate changes a company sees can vary by the number of claims it has and changes in its payroll.
Global help: Old Dominion University's Entrepreneurial Center launched Global Trade Connection. Businesses needing help expanding overseas can be linked with others that already have experience in foreign markets.
The ODU center manages the connection and screens the ``resource'' companies that offer help. For information, call the center at 683-3524 or check its homepage on the Internet's World Wide Web at http://www.infi.net/ectr/
ValuJet's role: Richmond International Airport boardings declined 13.7 percent in August compared to August '94. July fell sharply too.
Airport officials suggested ValuJet Airlines' discount service at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport may have contributed along with higher fares in Richmond and fewer USAir flights to Newark.
S&K superstores: S&K Famous Brands Inc. of Richmond will open larger stores. Nine superstores will cover 5,000 to 6,000 square feet compared with 3,000 to 4,000 square feet in the typical S&K men's store. S&K plans to open nine superstores by Thanksgiving and 11 under the current format.
Flounder permit: Virginia's Marine Resources Commission wants permits issued to out-of-state commercial fishermen before they unload flounder in the state. Virginia is the only state from North Carolina to New Hampshire that doesn't require such a permit. VRMC may ask the General Assembly for a law requiring the permits.
Airport park: Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport received a $300,000 Federal Aviation Administration grant to design the first phase of a research park at the airport.
``Several national and international firms have expressed interest in locating at'' the airport, said David Mercer, the airport commission's chairman. ``We are working with two aircraft manufacturers, an educational institution, a high-tech research company and an international disaster relief institution.'' by CNB