With more funding, the A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Center, based in Martinsville, could take its manufacturing extension program statewide. The funding would help existing businesses defer the costs of bringing advanced knowledge and skills to their operations. Small businesses would benefit most, although large businesses also would be eligible for assistance. Many high-growth tech companies count themselves among the commonwealth's small businesses. Behm and Bowen hope 1998 will be the year of the entrepreneur in the General Assembly.
Small business is the key.
And metro Washington isn't the only place feeling the pinch. The dearth of tech-trained workers comes on top of historically low unemployment rates. The key is that, unlike in some competing states, Virginia has not funded the community colleges to allow for the full capacity to deliver those training programs. The technology lobby is pushing for this sort of training through the establishment of work force development centers. These would provide the kind of quick turnaround companies need.