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In This Issue... Expansions, Relocations & Launches, Who's Hot, Who's Winning Business, Deal Makers, Innovations, R&D / Intellectual Property, People, Trends, Other News, Commentary, Events, Click here to forward to a friend or colleague who might like this newsletter. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Expansions, Relocations & Launches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Virginia Utilities to Study $1 Billion Power Plant in SW RICHMOND-Virginia's leading electric utilities have formed a consortium to explore the development of a $1 billion coal-fired electric power station in Southwest Virginia. The Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act encourages the development of a coal-fired power station in the state's coalfield region that would utilize Virginia coal to provide electricity for the companies' native load and default service customers. Dominion will undertake the initial power station development activities, which include the evaluation of available coal-burning technologies, siting and regulatory activities. Other members of the consortium include Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power; the Old Dominion Electric Cooperative; the Virginia Municipal Electric Association; and the Blue Ridge Power Agency. More. FiveStarAlliance.com Launches Luxury Hotel Booking Site ALEXANDRIA--Five Star Alliance has launched a luxury hotel booking Web site in a bid to offer hotels and consumers a new approach to online travel. In contrast to most travel sites, which lump luxury hotels with discounted three-star properties, Five Star Alliance provides in-depth information about 1,000 of the world's best hotels. Said CEO Eric Koefoot: "In a business dominated by generic mega-sites, FiveStarAlliance.com puts a spotlight on the unique personality of each hotel." The company will position the website as a vehicle for luxury hotels to "break through the generic online marketplace" by offering greater control over their message and new ways to showcase their unique brands. The company was created by Cal Simmons, local venture capitalist and founder of Cal Simmons Travel, and two former executives from Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive: Koefoot and Chris Schroder. More. ATA Relocates to Herndon Offices HERNDON--ATA Engineering, Inc., a San Diego-based engineering firm, is relocating its Eastern Region Engineering Services operation to new offices in Herndon. Said ATA President Mary Baker: "The relocation of our office in Northern Virginia to expanded space in Herndon, Virginia reflects our recent successes and our continued commitment to providing exceptional support to our Eastern Region customers." Over the next two years, the company plans to double the size of its Eastern Region staff serving the aerospace, defense, industrial and electronics marketplace. More. Construction Commences on Marriott in Oyster Point NEWPORT NEWS-Construction has commenced on a $58 million Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Oyster Point. The 11-story Marriott, with its 256 guest rooms and 23,000 square feet of meeting space, is a key piece of the mixed-use of City Center project at Oyster Point. Phase I, largely complete, includes 320,000 square feet of Class A office and retail space and 360 apartments, together valued at $90 million. More than 99 percent of the commercial space is leased and occupied. Said William Hudgins, president of HL Development Services Corp: "The project is on schedule and has grown considerably from original expectations." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Hot... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Virginia FREE |
Tachyon Expanding to Asia, Latin America, Africa VIENNA--Tachyon Networks Incorporated is expanding the delivery of its reliable, high performance IP-based satellite broadband access services to Asia, the Pacific Rim, Latin America and Africa in the coming year. Said CEO Peter Carides: "Our customers are expressing the need for expanded global service to support their international growth plans. Tachyon has already started the build-out of the necessary hubs and teleports to support its global coverage strategy and has begun acquiring additional satellite bandwidth to support the move. More. Shentel Hits 100,000 Wireless Customers EDINBURG-The customer count of Shenandoah Telecommunications Company's wireless affiliate has busted through the 100,000 barrier. Major drivers are camera and video phone capabilities that allow customers to view streaming audio and video clips, as well as fast Internet connections, access to e-mail, and musical ring tones. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Winning Business... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Anteon to Design Digital Training Ranges FAIRFAX--Anteon International Corporation, an IT and systems integration company, has won a five-year contract potentially worth $350 million to design and install live training ranges and digital multipurpose battle area complexes for the U.S. Army. Each training range provides real time situational awareness and data collection to support effective after-action reviews and improve the quality of individual, crew/squad and platoon-level training for infantry and armor units. More. Northrop Grumman Wins Laser-Sensor Contract MCLEAN-Northrup Grumman Corporation has won a $142 million contract to support the U.S. Missile Defense Airborne Laser boost phase missile defense program. The Airborne Laser system is a high-energy, oxygen-iodine laser and beam control system in a Boeing 747 aircraft that can detect, track and destroy ballistic missiles during boost phase using a high-power laser beam. Virginia sub-contractors include Apogen Technologies of Springfield, and National Security Research, of Arlington. More. Timmons to Upgrade Montgomery's GIS Capabilities RICHMOND--The Timmons Group, an engineering, architecture and land planning firm, is implementing a planning and GIS services capability for Montgomery County, Va., that replaces eight legacy databases. The NovaLIS Parcel Editor will make it easier for the county to provide planning, environmental, tax and other data to builders and developers. More. In Brief... RESTON-Port Security International, LLC., has closed an agreement with Security International, LLC., to offer cargo scanning and security services in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Deal Makers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Performance Food to Sell Fresh-Cut Segment for $855 Million RICHMOND--Performance Food Group, a national food service distributor, has agreed to sell its Fresh Express prepackaged salad unit to Chiquita Brands International, Inc., for $855 million. Net proceeds after taxes and expenses are expected to be $695 million. The company will use approximately $290 million to repay the company's indebtedness and apply the balance to share repurchases and/or cash dividends. Said CEO Bob Sledd: "This sale will enable Performance Food Group to focus entirely on our core Broadline and Customized foodservice distribution businesses." More. Alion Acquires Carmel Applied Technologies MCLEAN--Alion Science and Technology has acquired Carmel Applied Technologies, Inc., a Seaside, Cal., developer of 3-D visuals for flight simulators. The acquisition will complement Alion's already robust modeling and simulation resources. CATI's technology uses databases created from US government geographic data and realistic models of land, water, buildings, roadways and sky. More. Roper Lumber Acquires Valley Lumber PETERSBURG--Roper Brothers Lumber Company, a provider of engineered wood products to the home building industry, has purchased certain assets of Valley Lumber & Building Materials, Inc., of Winchester. Annual revenues of the combined companies will be in excess of $120 million, sufficient to rank Roper Brothers Lumber as a top 50 "Pro-Dealer" within the continental United States and one of the largest independent "Pro-Dealers" in Virginia. The Winchester operation will add to facilities in Fredericksburg, Newport News, Petersburg, Richmond, Williamsburg (Toano), and Winchester. More. ExploreLearning Sold to ProQuest CHARLOTTESVILLE-ExploreLearning, a developer of interactive math and science simulations, has been acquired by ProQuest Information and Learning of Ann Arbor, Mich. ExploreLearning has developed more than 400 simulations, called Gizmos, for students in grades six through 12. Founder David Shuster will join the ProQuest management team, and ExploreLearning operations will remain in Charlottesville. More. ATCC to Deliver Scaleable Biospecimen Management Solution MANASSAS-The American Type Culture Collection, which maintains an inventory of biological materials for scientific research, is partnering with Ardais Corporation, of Lexington, Mass., to meet the growing demand for translational medicine. "As the world's leading biological resource center, ATCC offers the scientific community a broad range of products and services for the advancement, validation, and application of scientific knowledge," said Frank Simione, VP Management and Compliance Services. "Our partnership with Ardais will add value to our offerings in the form of a sophisticated logistics, information technology, and clinical data solution for biospecimen management." More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Innovations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Trilegiant Targets Generation Y RICHMOND--Trilegiant Loyalty Solutions has launched a suite of services that will aid businesses in reaching the 74 million-strong pre-teen through college-age market known as Generation Y. The loyalty services, promoted as add-ons to products offered by financial service companies, hospitality firms and brokerage houses, include: a rewards cash incentive, a music/movie incentive, a cell phone-insurance incentive, emergency roadside assistance, hotel/motel burglary protection, warranty extensions and other benefits. Said President Marti Beller: "Young adults will enjoy the promotional products, while parents will feel secure knowing that their children will have access to valuable ongoing benefits. More. Dataline Introduces Ultra-light Mobile Command Center NORFOLK--Dataline, a IT systems integrator, is delivering an improved, ultra-light version of Mobile Command Center, a portable communications unit that allows real-time data, telephone, and video-conferencing communication between commanders, soldiers, and deployed units anywhere in the world. The 40- to 60-pound unit is small enough to fit under the seat of a commercial aircraft or in the overhead compartment. The Mobile Command Center family of products and services meets the needs of commanders and staffs on the move, forward command elements and small striking teams. More. In Brief... VIRGINIA BEACH--Oceana Sensor Technologies, Inc., has completed its Wireless Vibration Sensor Project that transitioned wireless sensor technology from a nascent laboratory-stage to full-scale production volumes at greatly reduced cost. More. RESTON--iDirect Technologies, a developer of bi-directional satellite-based broadband access solutions, has introduced its compression technology that will allow iDirect customers to reduce their bandwidth costs on average by 50 percent. More. Gain a Competitive Advantage Smart marketers are realizing the older Baby Boomers are the hottest target out there. One way to get help in deciding how to leverage it to your fullest advantage would be to attend the only national conference dedicated to Boomer Marketing. It's the "What's Next Boomer Summit" in Philadelphia, March 9-10. More information is available here. www.boomersummit.com. National experts and leading authorities on the Boomer Market will be presenting, including Virginia's own Matt Thornhill of the Boomer Project. www.boomerproject.com. Thornhill is regularly sought out by the national media and will show some current TV ads targeting Boomers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | R&D / Intellectual Property | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hokies Awarded 20 Patents in 2004 BLACKSBURG--Virginia Tech faculty. staff members and students were awarded 20 patents in 2004 for technologies with the potential to increase the efficiency of the next generation of microprocessors, protect the nation's power grid, protect and enhance the health of humans and animals, and improve communication and education. Seven came from the Center for Power Electronic Systems. Said Fred Martin with Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc.: "Virginia Tech is much more generous with royalty income than many universities. As an incentive to faculty members to seek patents, they receive half of any royalty proceeds. And their home department or center also receives a share." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | People | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Froman Resigns from Circuit City RICHMOND-John W. Froman, the COO of Circuit City Stores for more than three years, has resigned from the embattled electronics retailer to "pursue other challenges." The company, which is evaluating a buy-out offer from disaffected shareholders, offered no elaboration, but CEO W. Alan McCollough offered his praises: "John … never lost his ability to communicate to customers and clearly understood what it takes to sell. His sense of humor will be missed and I wish him well in his future endeavors." More. That was fast! A day after issuing the previous statement, Circuit City announced changes to its senior management reporting structure. Said CEO McCollough: "With the recent changes in the management team, it was appropriate to rethink how the company operates and improve the overall efficiency of the organization." McCollough now has four direct reports. More. ACCESS Appoints Daus as COO RESTON--Access Systems, Inc., an IT solutions provider, has appointed William B. Daus as COO, with full responsibility for ACCESS' day-to-day activities. Said CEO Julie S. Lee: "ACCESS is experiencing exponential growth, as evidenced by a significant increase in both our customer base and revenue over the past several years. Bill will leverage his extensive experience to effectively manage the operational challenges we face during this period of ongoing expansion." More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Trends | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Chmura Economics & Analytics |
 This chart displays employment growth for Fairfax County alongside growth in Virginia. Employment growth in Fairfax County has generally exceeded the rate of job growth in the state except for the period following the 2001 recession. For the year ending with the second quarter of 2004, employment in Fairfax County grew 2.1 percent compared with 2.6 percent growth in Virginia. Employment trends in regional labor markets are often the best overall measure of economic performance. While statistics relating to output growth, such as real gross domestic (state) product, are considered the most comprehensive performance figures for states and the nation, this data is not available for localities. For the latest analytics on labor market and workforce trends across Virginia, click here, or call (804) 649-1107. Appetite for Online News is Surging ARLINGTON--A national segmentation study conducted by washingtonpost.com in partnership with Nielsen/NetRatings and Scarborough has found that a rapidly growing number of Americans are increasing their use of online sources for news and information at the expense of other media. In the twelve months ending December 2004, 47 percent of respondents reported significantly increasing their usage of online media for news and information. Only four percent reported decreasing their usage of the Internet for news during the same time period. Users cited 24-hour availability, breaking news, ability to multi-task while browsing, breaking news, ability to search and free access as the top reasons for preferring to get their news online. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Other News | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loudoun Congestion Good for Dulles Greenway Bonds DULLES--Fitch Ratings has assigned a BBB rating to rating to certain Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P, revenue bonds, used to finance the 14-mile Dulles Greenway commuter toll road - an upgrade from its previous rating of BBB-. The upgrade reflects the growing population of the Loudon County service area as well as traffic and revenue growth that exceeds levels forecast at the time of the 1999 financial restructuring. Increasing regional congestion, the limited availability of free options, and the travel time savings of the Greenway are key strengths. More. Circuit City Terminates Amazon.com Contract RICHMOND--Circuit City Stores, Inc., is terminating a contract to offer its products and services, including in-store pickup, through Amazon.com. The electronics retailer stated that it preferred to focus on growing the business through its own website, which has enjoyed a favorable response from customers since its redesign in September. More. In Brief... ROANOKE--JW Burress Inc., a distributor of heavy equipment to Mid-Atlantic construction companies, has engaged Accruit, LLC, of Denver, to design a like-kind exchange program to reduce JW Burress's tax bill on the replacement of the company's rental equipment fleet. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Commentary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Interstate Crime Business As Usual interests are calling for bigger, wider Interstates to improve inter-regional mobility. The schemes won't work because they don't create Balanced Communities. More. | Pitching a Fitch Warrenton Mayor George Fitch wants to be your next governor. Outraged by waste in government, he's the one candidate totally committed to cutting taxes and reining in state spending. George Fitch is such a long shot for in the race for governor that you might wonder why he ever bothered to declare his candidacy. After all, former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore is widely presumed to have a lock on the Republican nomination. He's got name recognition, he's got a $6 million war chest, and he's got the party honchos all lined up behind him. The nomination is all over but the throwing of the confetti. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Events | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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