Asheville Citizen-Times from Asheville, North Carolina • Page 2

TV Astwvllle ntliw 4 Tlww, Tik. WW Future iPageOae om In education. Information, capital and eurship to become leaders in new Industries hi areni even thought of yet" hy hang -on to several groups are at work to determine what the future will bring, and to make It happen. Agencies and 1 organizations that assist Western North Carolina communities with planning and economic development Include local chambers of commerce, economic develbpment commissions and committees of 100; several locally supported regional councils, the state Department of Commerce and the Division of Community Assistance of the state Department of Natural Resources and Community Bentley sail' U.K. "Cotton" chairman of the economic i commJUajef Western North Carolina) acknowleged that Western North Carolina has tough running against downstate hightech centers, but sees a future in concentrating on small-scale specialized high- tech industry, such as electronics.

With limited transportation and terrain restricting industrial growth, he foresees a need for higher skills to lure quality jobs. "We don't need just people with two years of technical college we need people with college degrees," be Industry that was strong SO year ago? We need to use our advanced freedom in education, Information, capital and entrepre-neurshlp to become leaders In new Industries that aren't even thought of yet. Development; the Small Business Development Former State Son. Charles Taylor Center of the Center for Improving Mountain Living Staff Photo BILL FORTNEV High-Tech Skill Jamie Soesbee typifies the skilled worker who will be in demand in turn-of-the-century Western North Carolina. He listens to and charts master tapes for recordings copied tor RCA by QTI in Weaverville.

said. "Our technical schools are probably one of the best "We realise that is coming and we don't want to wait until we are facing a crisis," he said. "I'm afraid I dont have any solutions that money wont cure," said Jerry Cole, senior vice president of NCNB. "I see that we need to gear up financially for the sort of promotional work needed to attract new industry, new business. It seems some of our neighbors are doing a i at western Carolina University and AshevWe-Buncombe Technical College's Small Business Development Center; Tennessee Valley Authority and federally supported Appalachian Regional Commission.

In addition. Western North Carolina Development Association and Western North Carolina Tomorrow are involved in long-range planning for the region, but they do nol directly assist communities. tor many, the answer is high technology. Others dismiss that forecast, citing a regional high-school dropout rate near 50 percent, a tradition of semi-skilled production industry, lack of advanced technical schools and intense competition from areas with established brain pools particularly Research Triangle near Mars Hill president Fred Bentley, chairman of Western North Carolina Tomorrow, said Western North Carolina could raise its standing in the industrial community by developing research and development centers like those at Duke University, North Carolina Stale and the University of North Carolina at Chapel HUL has proposed that state university officials establish a graduate program in engineering at UNCA, Jut so far no has been taken. As it stands now, engineering candidates drive to Clemson or the iUnjversity of Tennessee at Knoxville.

'-Projections suggest that by the year 2000, most of jew industries will have located In the Piedmont and 1 Research Triangle area. But other projections show that 'commodities such as water and waste management wbn'4 Je able to keep up with the increased activity, location patterns, it is evident that the trend is for the high technology firms to locate in or near urban areas and interstate highway systems. Rural counties without transportational facilities, a skilled labor force, infrastructures and other amenities will be at a disadvantage in consistently attracting these type of firms," It said. "Over the next 20 years, 90 percent of all new jobs are projected to be in non-manufacturing operations many of which will be small While the concept of small business development or assistance may not be as exciting as industrial development or recruitment, in the long run it may be more stable and pay greater dividends." better job or tnat" Cole said entrepreneurs resources we have," said Ed BroadweU, president of Clyde Savings It Loan Association. "They are doing a better job and emphasizing transition skills.

But much of the money we put into higher education, we ship out Some come to school here and then leave. We need more options for our children." To hold onto highly skilled workers. Western North Carolina wages must rise and cultural offerings must improve, Robinson said. Jack Harmon, McDowell industrial recruiter and vice president of Western North Carolina Development Association, said the greatest potential now is in -recruiting suppliers for new Nissan, Toyota and General Motors plants In neighboring states. "IVe been in touch with the Saturn people on several occasions," he said, referring to the General Motors plant in Spring Hill, Tenn.

"I think in the next 10 years we'll see a drastic change In industries that want their suppliers nearby." re could become a in Henderson county, industrial sites will probably be depleted by the year 2,000 or 2,010, said Ray Cantrell, executive vice president of the Greater Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce. "We bedroom community for manu facturing could become a bedroom Greenville or But Stephen W. Woody, senior Wee president and a regional executive for First Union A nurturing Old Industry Vyjnext. ,20,. percent- Of new Jobs orer projected to be In non-manutdc-Turing operations many of which will be small busl-, While the -concept of small business development or assistance may not be as exciting as Industrial development or recruitment, in the long run it may be more stable and pay greater dividends.

'Economic Development: Trends and Implications for Western North with ready capital will take care of growth in services. "It seems to me that the law of supply and demand and private enterprise do work, and that is when there is enough demand for a service, it will be Somebody will think of it and do if he said. "I think it's gamey to think about what (Western North Carolina's economy) will look like five years from now, much less 10," he For farmers, the future offers more of what they've been doing for years: specialization, expansion, automation and a shift from unprofitable traditional crops and livestock to specialized markets. Mario DeLuca, McDowell County extension agent forecasts the future for farmers when be advises them to grow lambs for a recently 1 opened processor in Virginia, to raise alphalf a or to help meet demand in the pick-your-own berry business. Another bright spot on the agricultural scene is the Natlonal Bank in Asheville, said Expanding Industry vs.

new plants mat oasing recruitment and growtn strategies on expected community for manufacturing in Greenville or Spartanburg, S.C. With that, there would be a natural increase in the service industry, but something completely foreign to us will be happening in 10 years." By 1995, tourism is projected to be the largest industry in Buncombe County. Some projections show that the decline in manufacturing employment continues, lower-paying tourism jobs could take wesTern Norm Carolina 1984-86 jusi-in-ume inventory practices Spartanburg, S.C. With that, there would be a natural Increase in the service industry, but something completely foreign to us will be happening In 10 years. may noiDetne solution.

"The vendor plants will have to be pretty close' Expanding Industries 46 to the major New industries plant," he said. "So if you dont have the Ray Cantrell over the economy and lower Fi H'h Wi Urti W'lHi-U' 'I'' Ik 1 major plants, you dont get the satellites." Western North greenhouse industry, which Carolina Tomorrow's 1983 report, "Economic Development: Trends and Greater Henderson-wage standards, vllle Chamber of "As the industry grows, Commerce more of it will become full-b time work and wages will increase," said Doug Stafford, staff director of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. "The hotels will pay more and there will be more work for executives who will receive pay comparable to other industries." Public officials and civic leaders also must plan to meet the water, sewer and public accommodations needs a growing industry will bring, Stafford said. generates about $17 million annually In Henderson County, said Cantrell Such an example graphicly demonstrates what the experts advise, that Western North Carolinians need to look inward first to find growth. Written by Dan Ward.

Reported by Paul Clark, David Ntvens, Kathy Scruggs and Ward. Implications for Western North Carolina," predicts an increasing shift from manufacturing to small business and service industry: "In looking at Industrial i N.C. Deportment of. Commerce I Ml Neighbors' Efforts To Save Tornado Victims Fail The Associated Press JACKSONVILLE Dozens of neighbors and rescue I warliers struggled to hoist a house trailer, but efforts to saiii woman and two children were in vain after a vlo-; JehCstorm swept through their mobile home park. -j-Ifejlisa Pierce, 20; her daughter, one-month-old ArTiapda Pierce: and 4-year-old Debbie Addison, a girl Pierce was babysitting, died Wednesday night when their trailer flipped over, trapping them inside, said Jackson-, villa Police Capt.

Delma Collins. The storm, which was part of a line of severe thun-' derstorms that moved across North Carolina Wednesday lIWH. injured eight other people, flattened four trailers tOid tossed debris for miles. Pierce's 14-year-old brother, John Cummings, was listed in critical condition at Craven County Memorial Hospital in New Bern with spinal injuries. Pierce's mother and another brother, who also were in the trailer, were among seven people treated for minor injuries.

Jacksonville Police Chief Roger Halbert said civil- ians and rescue workers lined up around the wreckage of I the Cummings trailer and raised it to try to free Pierce and the children. "Some other people, some civilians I think, got under I there and pulled them out. The trailer must have Twister VidtM Heard Dying Baby's Cries The Associated Pren JACKSONVILLE Fred Senay says he heard the screams of his neighbor's 1-month-old child as he lay under the rubble of his own mobile home, one of four destroyed by a violent storm that swept through a trailer park. "I heard the baby screaming and I couldn't do a thing," said Senay, 43, who suffered a broken leg and broken ribs when his trailer collapsed around him Wednesday night "I was sitting on the couch watching television and I heard these weather bulletins coming over and it started to rain. I got up to close the window and then boom." Lisa Pierce, 20; her daughter, 1-month-old Amanda Pierce; and 4-year-old Debbie Addlsion, a girl Pierce was babysitting, died when their trailer was flipped over, trapping them inside, said Jacksonville Police Capt Delma Collins.

Senay said Pierce was an employee of his restaurant near the Triangle Trailer Park. He said she was on a leave of absence because of Amanda's birth. "I was standing 10 feet away and right over there three kids died," Senay said, pointing to the wreckage of the trailer. "That's hard. I just hoped it would keep going after It hit once.

"The whole trailer shook, and then it just blew up," Senay said. "Everything come down on me, but the couch came down on me and that's what saved me. When it tipped over, I was underneath it" "That couch saved my life," said Senay, grasping his crutches. "The whole wall just came down on my leg and I couldnt move from under the couch." "There's' not much left In there," Senay said after Inspecting his trailer. "I guess 111 have to start all over again just like other people do." weighed a ton, and all those people lifted it up," Halbert said.

"I was afraid they wouldn't hold on. I guess they had one chance and they did it right" "Yeah, I was here when we lifted it up. It took quite a few people," said Staff Sgt. Rick Backensto, a neighbor whse home also was destroyed. "Two of them they puBed out were obviously dead.

Only the (teen-ager), in my opinion, was alive." Staff Sgt Ron UUman, 25, a trailer park resident said he saw the Cummings mobile home spinning through the air. "It took that trailer over there and just put it up on the top of that telephone pole," said Ullman. "It flipped it up and then down and said, 'I'm Backensto and the residents of the three other trailers destroyed at the Triangle Trailer Park sifted through the remains of theif homes Thursday, while electric -eompany employees, removed clothing and strips of AP Photo Little To Salvage Fred Senay, right, foUows on cratches Thursday as his roommate, Bridget Hayes, picks up their belongings after a Wednesday night tornado destroyed their mobile home near Jacksonville, breaking Senay's leg. chair flew in front of me and then that bathtub over there. I carried my wife out of the trailer with one arm, that's how scared I was." "Everything was flying across the road when we pulled up," said Vetterly's neighbor, Jimmy Raynor.

"It was weird, though. You couldn't even hear the rain (all It jHas a deathly quiet "There was no warning," Raynor said. "Two seconds it was down and then two seconds it was gone." "It was a twister I can tell you. I saw it," said Tim Benson, a trailer park resident "I grabbed my little one, I yelled to the next-door neighbor, And I see everything going up over here, and I heard it I got in the car as fast as I can and got on the road and just kept on going." After hitting the trailer park, the storm skipped across a highway, demolishing six or seven trailers at a mobile home dealership. He said the storm then crossed the New River, destroying an empty metal building that housed business.

The storm touched down again In a residential several miles away, but damaged only trees, Halbert said. jnetal siding from power lines overneaa. J4 MH get what I can as far as personal things, but i lting else Is pretty much gone," he said. 5 ylJatlonal Weather Service officials Inspected the JfcThursday to confirm it was a tornado, but trailer 'park residents and neighbors who were cleaning up the fSMle had no doubts they survived a twister. Jr? I could see was furniture flying through the air," aid George Vetterly, who returned to his trailer just as the storm struck about 9 30 p.m.

"As we pulled up, a lawn '7.