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| Business Intelligence for Virginia's Entrepreneurial Economy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue... Expansions, Relocations & Launches, Who's Hot, Who's Not, Who's Winning Business, Deals Makers, Innovations, Deals & Partnerships, People, Trends, Other News, Commentary, Events, Click here to forward to a friend or colleague who might like this newsletter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Entrepreneurial Dominion  |
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Is There Anything Else in that the Martini Glass? 
GREAT FALLS--Matisse Designs has unveiled "The Mini Jewel Bar", a new concept in "personal gifting" for the 2005 Holiday shopping season. The Mini Jewel Bar displays petite pendants, gemstones and silver chains in martini glasses. Entrepreneur JJ Singh describes the idea as "an irresistible gifting concept for women everywhere," in which buyers mix their own necklaces from an assortment of items, each of which holds special meaning. A circle, for instance, symbolizes unity, an amethyst represents calm. Says Singh, "I wanted the gifts to be deeply personal, yet carry a commonality to remind us of our shared experience. The idea for a necklace that represented the 'essence' of each woman." The Mini Jewel Bar is available through special events, like trunk shows, and boutiques in the Washington, D.C., area. Singh turned her 10-year jewel-making hobby and life-long passion into a business when a neighbor and friend Connie Keith gave her the confidence and the extra set of hands she needed to launch on a grander scale. Matisse Designs, named after JJ's first born child, was launched in 2002. More. |
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| Back To Top | Expansions, Relocations & Launches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Virginia Technology Alliance
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Cloakware Expands - Again VIENNA-After moving its headquarters to Fairfax County earlier this year, Cloakware Inc., a developer of products and services that protect digital assets, has grown so much that it has moved its headquarters to a larger office space. The new location provides Cloakware with the infrastructure to scale several departments, including sales, marketing and customer support to accommodate growing customer demands. Said CEO Jeff Waxman: "Since establishing our headquarters in the U.S. earlier this year, we've seen tremendous demand from both federal and commercial customers." More. MeadWestvaco Eyes Rockbridge for Consolidated Distribution Center BUENA VISTA-- MeadWestvaco Corporation's Covington mill has proposed building a $20 million consolidated distribution facility in Rockbridge Regional Industrial Park in Buena Vista. The location, which enjoys access to rail and Interstate 81, was selected to enhance the paper mill's ability to serve customers and manage inventory. Approximately 50 jobs will be created at the 600,000-square-foot facility. The Covington mill exports about 45 percent of its bleached paperboard product. More. United Health to Add 250 Jobs in Roanoke ROANOKE--UnitedHealth Group, of Minnetonka, Minn., will expand operations in the City of Roanoke, creating 250 new jobs in addition to the company's existing 160 jobs, in anticipation of its involvement in the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit program. The Roanoke operations center will provide service to Medicare recipients who purchase the AARP Medicare Rx Plan. More. StarTek to Open Petersburg Facility PETERSBURG-Denver-based StarTek, Inc., a provider of business process outsourcing services, has unveiled plans to open a new customer care facility in Petersburg - its third investment in Virginia. The operation, which will occupy 40,000 square feet of a building vacated by J. Crew several years ago, will employ more than 500 people when fully staffed. More. And more. Cernium Relocates from St. Louis to Alexandria ALEXANDRIA--Cernium, Inc., a developer of intelligent video systems, has announced plans to relocate from St. Louis, Missouri, to the Washington, D.C., metro area, "a major center for security and communications technologies." Production and research operations will remain at St. Louis. Cernium first opened a federal systems office in Alexandria in early 2005. The company claims that its behavior-recognition and intelligent-video technologies are the most accurate and efficient in the surveillance industry. More. Redemtech Expands to Chesterfield RICHMOND--Redemtech, Inc., a leading provider of information technology asset management solutions, will invest $1.2 million to open a facility in Chesterfield County. The company will initially create 30 new jobs and grow to 80 within 30 months. Redemtech has pioneered a new approach to IT asset management that helps organizations extend the useful life of their IT systems while ensuring data security, proper disposal and recycling of their IT assets. Said President Robert Houghton: "Our customer base in the mid-Atlantic region continues to grow and this new facility will ensure we continue to provide efficient, cost-effective support for all of our customers." More. In Brief... MCLEAN--Centurum, Inc., a provider of mission-critical technologies and solutions to the federal government, has relocated its operational headquarters to McLean, and opened a branch office in Annapolis Junction, Md., near Ft. Meade. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Hot... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FMS Secures In-Q-Tel Investment VIENNA-FMS, Inc., has secured an investment of undisclosed size from In-Q-Tel, a private venture enterprise funded by the Central Intelligence Agency. In-Q-Tel has identified FMS's Sentinel Threat Management System software and the company's experience as having significant potential to address the needs of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Sentinel TMS analyzes and ranks people, transactions, events, organizations, and other criteria, assigns relative values to those connections, and develops a dynamic picture of the relationships. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Winning Business... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia Technology Alliance
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In Brief... RESTON--SI International, Inc., an IT provider to the federal government, has been awarded a task order potentially worth $50 million over five years to provide IT services to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. More. RESTON--Global Computer Enterprises, Inc., has won a five-year contract potentially worth $25 million to perform software maintenance for two finance applications used by the United States Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration and Federal Air Marshal Service. More. FAIRFAX--ManTech International Corporation has won a contract potentially worth $19 million over two years to provide technical and administrative support to the United States Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Deals & Partnerships | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roanoke Electric Acquired by Steel Dynamics ROANOKE--Roanoke Electric Steel Corporation has agreed to be acquired by Steel Dynamics of Fort Wayne, Ind. REC stockholders will stock and cash valued at more than $21 per share, implying a market capitalization of about $230 million for the steel miniimill company. Said Steel Dynamics CEO Keith Busse: "The combination will enable us to broaden our geographic presence and strengthen our relationships with customers. We plan to invest $50 [million] to $80 million to improve and upgrade Roanoke's facilities after the transaction closes." More. DLT Solutions Acquired in Management Buyout HERNDON-A management group headed by CEO Rick Marcotte and CFO Craig Adler has acquired ownership of DLT Solutions, Inc., a government solutions provider that generated $318 million in revenue last year. Marcotte, who has run the company since 2004, has overseen the implementation of a strategic plan for continued growth that includes the addition of technical support and implementation services to the company's portfolio of products and services as well as business infrastructure and process improvements. Said Marcotte: "This company was built on a vendor-centric model that revolves around strong, tightly-knit relationships with our vendor partners at every level." More. Anteon Buys Milestone Group for $31.5 Million FAIRFAX--Anteon International Corporation has acquired the Milestone Group, LLC, an Arlington-based IT services provider, for $31.5 million. The transaction supports Anteon's strategy of aligning capabilities with the mission requirements of federal government customers and national priorities. Milestone is particularly well positioned with the Missile Defense Agency Directorates responsible for improving mission critical IT infrastructure. More. Arrowhead Teams with Norsat to Deliver Backpack Satellite FALLS CHURCH--Arrowhead Global Solutions had teamed with Norsat International Inc. to deliver the GLOBETrekker backpackable broadband satellite system. Arrowhead will market the Norsat GLOBETrekker and provide the first line of customer support to certain U.S. military forces in the field. Norsat's GLOBETrekker is an ultra-portable satellite system that enables users to establish reliable broadband connections on short notice anywhere in the world and under the harshest conditions. More. SRA Acquire Spectrum Solutions FAIRFAX--SRA International, Inc., an IT services provider, has agreed to acquire Spectrum Solutions Group, Inc., a Vienna-based held provider of enterprise solutions to the federal government. Spectrum focuses on achieving organizational improvement through the application of enterprise solutions, such as Oracle and PeopleSoft. Founded in November 2002, the company has 90 full-time employees and generated $15 million in revenue over the past 12 months. More. ENDEXX Partners with Intercall in Conferencing Solution WARRENTON--ENDEXX Corporation has partnered with Intercall, Inc., of Chicago, to deliver Intercall's integrated audio and Web-conferencing services in conjunction with ENDEXX's Visual board Books and related technologies. Visual Board Books transforms a phone and a personal computer with an Internet connection into a virtual board room, a committee meeting or an electronic brainstorming session. Executives can exchange ideas, documents and information in real time without ever leaving their offices, hotels or homes. More. iLumin Sold to Computer Associates RESTON- iLumin Software Services, Inc., a privately held provider of enterprise message management and archiving software, has been acquired by Computer Associates International, Inc., of Islandia, N.Y. "Organizations are under intense pressure to improve management and protection of all their data -- including the emails and unstructured data that comprise such a big part of the everyday business environment," said Chris Broderick, senior vice president and general manager of CA's BrightStor business unit. According to Gartner, the worldwide email archiving market for licensed product is expected to see a 58 percent compound annual growth rate over the next 5 years, growing from $89 million in 2004 to $883 in 2009. More. Albemarle Signs Agreement with German Firm RICHMOND--Albemarle Corporation, a developer of refinery catalysts, has entered into a multi-year collaborative agreement with Heidelberg, Germany-based hte Aktiengesellschaft. hte will provide Albemarle with high-throughput experimentation solutions to enhance innovation in the field of refinery catalysis, including the supply of hardware and software technologies and research services. More. In Brief... MCLEAN-West Financial Services, a financial planning company with $550 million in assets under management, has been sold to Olney, Md.-based Sandy Spring Bank. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Innovations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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GlucoBurst, the Next Best Thing to Jolt Cola GORDONSVILLE--PBM Products, LLC, has launched GlucoBurst, a drink that raises blood sugar levels fast by delivering 15 grams of sugar in clear liquid form. The product, sold in a foil package, is designed specifically to boost energy and help diabetics, hypoglycemics, and athletes manage blood sugar levels. Said Dr. Kenneth L. Brayman, director of the renal, pancreas, and human islet cell transplant programs at the University of Virginia Medical Center: "The time-honored tradition of relying on homegrown remedies such as sugar in orange juice has often led to an inconsistent correction of low blood sugar or an over-correction resulting in high-blood sugar levels. GlucoBurst, using defined glucose doses, should allow better correction of blood sugar levels." The product has an "Arctic Cherry" flavor and is available in Kroger and other grocery stores. PBM Products also manufactures and distributes infant formula. More. MBDC Announces Environmental Certification for Six Products CHARLOTTESVILLE--McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry has awarded its "Cradle to Cradle" certification to six international firms for meeting its stringent standards for positive impact on the environment, human health and social equity. The companies include well known firms such as Steelcase, for its "Think" chair, and Victor Innovatex, for its Eco Intelligent Polyester used in seating and panel fabric. MBDC's certifications provide validation of a product's quality, performance, and ecological intelligence, all of which are designed to enhance a product's market value. Co-founder William McDonough is an internationally recognized environmental architect and designer. More. WiLink Upgrades VCall Conferencing Service RICHMOND--WiLink plc, a provider of online investor relations services, has introduced version 4.0 of its Vcall web conferencing service. The new version features scalable technology, optimized for interactive web events, that is easy to use, engaging, and completely supported by a team of experienced professionals. Vcall's professional services team works with clients to prepare the event, execute the online delivery, and complete post event production and reporting. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | R&D / Intellectual Property | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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VCU, Tech Win Nanoparticle Research Grant RICHMOND--Researchers working with a man-made, metal-filled nanoparticle are developing the material for use as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent that may boost the sensitivity of MRI techniques and improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. Panos Fatouros, a professor in the Department of Radiology at Virginia Commonwealth University, has been awarded a five-year, $3.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to lead a team of scientists from VCU and Virginia Tech. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | People | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cuomo Takes COO Spot at ThinkFun ALEXANDRIA-ThinkFun, Inc., a publisher of mind-challenging games, has promoted Ralph J. Cuomo to president and COO; founder Bill Ritchie will retain the position of CEO. Before joining ThinkFun, Cuomo had held senior management positions with Time Life, Inc., and the Book of the Month Club. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Trends | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Chmura Economics & Analytics |
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 Virginia employment increased 1.4 percent for the twelve months ending with August 2005 compared with a 1.7 percent gain in U.S. employment. Over the last year, Winchester (+3.9 percent), Charlottesville (+3.2 percent), Northern Virginia (+3.1 percent), and Richmond (+3.1 percent) showed the strongest employment growth among the state's metropolitan areas. Three metro areas showed negative growth since last August: Danville (-3.4 percent), Bristol (-0.2 percent), and Blacksburg (-0.1 percent). The monthly periodicity of employment data makes it the most timely and encompassing measure of regional economic growth. For details and forecasts of economic conditions across Virginia, as well as a list of Chmura Economics & Analytics (CEA) products and services, click here, or call (804) 649-1107. Employees Give Bosses B+ Grade Overall WILLIAMSBURG-Think you've got the boss from hell? Too bad. You don't have much company. Most people think their bosses are OK. As a whole, the United States gives its bosses a "B-plus," according to a national survey conducted by the School of Business at the College of William & Mary. Most participants said they did not think they could do their bosses' jobs better than their bosses do. Fifty-two percent said they could not, 25 percent said they could, and 22 percent were undecided. Participants also said they would not like to have their bosses' jobs. Only 21 percent would like them, while 66 percent gave a resounding "no," to the question, and 13 percent were undecided. Men (32 percent) were more than twice as likely to say "yes" than women (15.3 percent). More. Honda Still Tops, but Toyota Moving up Fast RICHMOND-With gas prices still hugging $3 per gallon, people are conducting more online searches for small cars, says CarMax, Inc., the nation's largest retailer of used cars. The Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Prius all are increasing in popularity, although the Honda Accord and Civic still rank No. 1 and 2 in searches on the CarMax website. More than 20 percent of CarMax retail sales are initiated through carmax.com, which taps into a nationwide inventory of 20,000 vehicles. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Other News | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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European Union Clears Albemarle Corp.'s Fire Retardant RICHMOND-The European Union has exempted the widely used brominated flame retardant deca-BDE, manufactured by Albemarle Corporation, from its Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive. The decision, based on more than ten years of analysis from 588 different studies, clears the way for manufacturers of consumer and industrial products to continue to look to deca-BDE to meet the fire safety needs of the public. More. In Brief... ROANOKE-The Kroger Co. has announced that it has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 400 in Roanoke, which covers 3,500 Kroger associates at 47 stores in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Commentary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Quo Vadis Kilgore? Jerry Kilgore's middle-of-the-road campaign has disappointed conservatives, who support candidates who take principled stands. As a result, he risks losing the election. More. |
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Lost in Suburbia Virginia's transportation "crisis" is really an urban design crisis in masquerade. Broad Street in Henrico County is a case in point: The ugly, dysfunctional retail strip is truly a road from hell. Have you ever driven down Broad Street in Henrico County? It's an elongated stretch of suburban wasteland that snakes through the western part of the county, one gas station, one chain restaurant, one auto dealership, one shopping center and one big-box store after another. For miles and miles and miles. No matter how much you may loathe Broad Street, you can't avoid it -- not if you live north of the James River in the Richmond region. Not even if you reside in an urban neighborhood like the Fan or Church Hill. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Events | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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