94-01-25 New U.Va. Center for Public Service Report Gives In-Depth Economic Profile for Hampton Roads Planning District

NEW U.VA. CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE REPORT
GIVES IN-DEPTH ECONOMIC PROFILE OF HAMPTON ROADS PLANNING DISTRICT

     CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 25 -- The Hampton Roads area is likely to
fare better than
other defense-dependent communities around the country if, as expected, the
military chooses to
consolidate operations there, according to an economic profile by the
University of Virginia's
Center for Public Service.
     The profile of the Hampton Roads Regional Planning District, in the
latest edition of the
center's "Virginia's Local Economies" series of occasional economic reports
on each of the state's
21 planning districts, shows that in 1991 alone, military employment fell by
almost 13,000 in
Hampton Roads, reducing the military-employment numbers to pre-1982 levels.
     However, consolidation of military personnel in the region could lead to
a net gain in
Department of Defense jobs, according to U.Va. economist John L. Knapp,
director of the studies. 
While the relative importance of federal jobs has declined since 1980, the
sector still accounts for
more than one out of every five jobs in the region -- the largest portion for
any planning district in
the state.
     The planning district is second only to Northern Virginia in total
population, employment,
personal income and taxable sales in Virginia.  The planning district
includes the cities of
Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth,
Suffolk, Virginia
Beach, Williamsburg and the counties of Isle of Wight, James City,
Southampton and York. 
     The study cites projections from a private forecasting firm that the
planning district will see
a 0.9 percent annual employment growth rate for the rest of the decade,
compared to the 1.5
percent rate projected for the state.
     Real per capita personal income in the region is projected to rise at
1.1 percent annual rate,
the same as is projected for the state.
     The "Virginia's Local Economies" series includes updated comparative
data on all planning
districts and local government finances, as well as projections of
population, employment, income
and school enrollment, and additional information about each locality in a
region.  The series is
aimed at community planners, economic developers, business and government
officials, educators,
libraries and residents seeking local economic information.
     Cost is $12 per report, or $200 for the set of 21 reports.  For
additional information contact
the U.Va. Center for Public Service at (804) 982-5638.
                               ###
                                                 January 24, 1994
     EDITORS, REPORTERS:  John Knapp may be reached at the above number.

[Submitted by: Karen A. Castle  (kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu)
               Wed, 26 Jan 94 10:11:32 EST]