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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 & Partnerships, Innovations, Collaborations, 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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BoldMouth Seeks End to Buzz Marketing Practices CHARLOTTESVILLE-Start-up marketing firm BoldMouth is setting itself up as a specialist in "word-of-mouth" marketing, a discipline it sees as distinct from "buzz" marketing. Real word-of-mouth marketing is about sharing advice as well as product and service recommendations, the company says. "Buzz marketing" is an attempt to artificially engineer a referral by offering incentives so that "agents" make recommendations on behalf of an organization. Said CEO Todd Tweedy: "Buzz marketing companies don't create buzz. … It's time to put an end to buzz marketing. BoldMouth offers an "Interest Recognition Model" to help brands cultivate word-of-mouth first by recognizing interests of individual customers and then by helping create "word-of-mouth moments." More. New Media Strategies Launches Public Affairs Practice ARLINGTON--New Media Strategies, a leader in online market intelligence and brand promotion, has created a public affairs practice to serve leading industry associations, political committees and issue-advocacy campaigns. Said CEO Peter Snyder: "What is being said in blogs and online is having a profound impact on how Washington does business. Given the explosion of growth and activity in the blogosphere, savvy politicians and public policy makers are turning to blogs to help them keep in touch with what Americans are really thinking and feeling. Just as Madison Avenue is shifting advertising budgets online in droves, so too will Capitol Hill and K Street." More. Universal Fiber Expands in Washington County ABINGDON--Universal Fiber Systems, a producer of fibers and yarns for carpet, upholstery, automotive, industrial and other textile applications, will invest $8 million to expand its Prisma Fibers facility in Washington County. The project will create 82 new jobs and save 12 current jobs. More. Aurora to Open R&D Center in Cambridge, Mass. MANASSAS-Returning to its roots, Aurora Flight Sciences will establish an R&D development center in Cambridge, Mass. to develop and integrate advanced technologies into the company's unmanned aerial vehicle products. "Said CEO John Langford: "Aurora started as an outgrowth of the MIT department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. … We are collaborating closely with Draper Laboratories to build the first aircraft to fly in another planet's atmosphere. It made perfect sense for us to return to our roots and establish our new R&D center in Cambridge." More. In Brief... HERNDON--Basis Technology, of Cambridge, Mass., has expanded its office in Herndon in response to the continued growth of its business with the U.S. government for its applications that extract critical information from foreign language documents. More. RICHMOND--Ironworks, a project-based technology consulting firm, has expanded operations in the Southeast with the opening of a full-service office in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina. More. | ||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Hot... | |||||||||
Searchable Business Database
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MCI Transmits at 40 GBS over Field Fiber ASHBURN--MCI, Inc., has claimed an industry first: transmitting 40 Gigabits per second over 3,040 kilometers of field fiber in MCI's Dallas metro area network. The milestone demonstrates that next-generation technology will support high-bandwidth IP traffic demands over Ultra Long Haul distances on existing fiber infrastructure while maintaining reliable performance standards. More. Wall Street on the James Wachovia Securities is the third largest brokerage firm in the United States -- the largest outside of New York. Its location in Richmond, Va., has been a strong competitive advantage. Richmond's Riverfront Plaza, with its views of the James River's burbling, tree-lined rapids, is far removed from the canyons of Manhattan and such investment powerhouses as Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney. Yet decisions made inside Richmond's twin, 20-story buildings are as likely to move the United States financial markets as those at the country's top two brokerage houses. For two years now, Wachovia Securities, formed by the merger of Wachovia Securities and New York's Prudential Securities, has operated the nation's third-largest brokerage from the banks of the James. The merger, which will add a total of 1,200 new jobs to Richmond when it's complete, exemplifies the city's revival as a regional financial center after the loss of several major banking headquarters in the 1990s. More. | ||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Not... | |||||||||
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Universal Closes Danville Facility DANVILLE--Universal Leaf North America U.S., Inc., has announced the closure of its leaf tobacco processing plant in Danville. The Richmond company will consolidate its United States leaf processing into its Nash County, N.C., facility. Seventy-seven full-time positions and approximately 325 seasonal jobs will be affected by the closing. Said President W. Keith Brewer: "The decision to close the Danville facility was extremely difficult given our long history of operations there and the wrenching personnel issues involved. However, as a result of the sharp decline in domestic flue-cured and burley production since 2000, there is now processing overcapacity in the United States." More. | |||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Winning Business... | |||||||||
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Unitech Snags $320 Million Training Contract CENTREVILLE--UNITECH, a provider of interactive training and simulation solutions, has won a contract potentially worth $320 million over five years to design tactical battlefield training programs for the U.S. Army. Unitech is the prime contractor; there are eight sub-contractors. Said CEO Earl W. Stafford: "The importance of the training and support UNITECH will provide our soldiers could never be as salient as they are now, when our forces are engaged in daily combat. As the nature of threats to our national security changes, our soldiers must quickly learn new tactics and techniques to prepare them for warfare. UNITECH will apply technologies that quickly transform lessons from the battlefield into training designed to increase combat readiness and effectiveness." More. ManTech Wins Air Force Security Contract FAIRFAX--ManTech International Corporation, an IT services provider, has won a contract potentially worth $27.5 million over five years to provide security services to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Services include physical security, information security and systems-security engineering. ManTech professionals will produce vulnerability assessments and help define a risk management process. More. Iatrogen Wins Dow Chemical Account HERNDON--Iatrogen, LLC, a bioinformatics company, will provide its RxWise adverse drug reaction service to employees, families and retirees of the Dow Chemical Company. RxWise, which is contained on a portable USB Flash Drive, evaluates the potential risks for an adverse drug reaction 9ADR) by analyzing the consumer's medical history and checking it against the medications they are taking. ADRs are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. More. Innocoll Expands CollaRx Sales Overseas ASHBURN--Innocoll, Inc., has signed distribution for its CollaRx Gentamicin Surgical Implant in five additional territories: Turkey, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Nigeria. The product, acquired from Schering Plough in July, is used to treat and prevent post-operative infections. More. In Brief... FAIRFAX-Data Systems Analysts, Inc., has been awarded a contract potentially worth $44 million to provide software life cycle maintenance and systems engineering support for the Defense Information Systems Agency. More. VIENNA--Centre Federal has won a $24.8 million contract to provide management skills training for the U.S. Air Force. More. FAIRFAX--SRA International, Inc. has won a contract potentially worth $15 million over six years to develop, maintain and upgrade the IT systems for the National Institutes of Health. More. MCLEAN--Advanced Technology Systems has won a five-year, $20 million contract to provide IT support to the Architect of the Capitol, the organization responsible for the operation and preservation of the U.S. Capitol Complex. More. | |||||||||
| Back To Top | Deals & Partnerships | |||||||||
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General Dynamics to Acquire FC Business Systems FALLS CHURCH--General Dynamics has agreed to acquire FC Business Systems, Inc., a privately held IT services firm based in Fairfax. FC Business Systems, which anticipates generating 2005 sales of about $150 million, has roughly 1,000 employees, more than 50 percent of whom hold national security clearances. The company will become part of General Dynamics' Network Systems business unit. More. In Brief... MCLEAN--Highland Hospitality Corporation, a lodging real estate investment trust, has acquired the 144-room Churchill Hotel in Washington, D.C., from a private seller for $48.75 million. More. OAKTON--Columbia Equity Trust, Inc., of Washington, D.C., has purchased Oakton Corporate Center, a 65,000-square-foot office building, for $16.0 million. More. Building Bonds Ken Powell and Nate Betnun pioneered tax-district financing in the Mid-Atlantic states. Now, with California-based Stone & Youngberg behind them, they're aiming for the whole East Coast. Stone and Youngberg, a San Francisco public-finance banking firm, wasn't thinking about a major expansion of its nominal East Coast presence when Richmonder Ken Powell cold-called CEO Kenneth Williams this summer. The idea wasn't even on the radar screen. But in mid-August, barely a month later, the company announced that it had hired Powell and his partner Nate Betnun as managing directors, and was committed not only to building its East Coast business but to dominating the market. More. | |||||||||
| Back To Top | Innovations | |||||||||
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Fairchild Sports Hires "Super Sarah" to Promote Womens Motorcycle Gear
Eagle Eye Unveils Business Intelligence Service FAIRFAX--Eagle Eye Publishers, Inc., has released an online database application, Company Business Intelligence, which generates profiles of every vendor's federal contract and grant revenues over the last two years. Vendors need to assess the strengths and weaknesses of potential competitors, form teams, identify emerging contract and subcontract opportunities and make other critical financial and legal decisions. With CBI, subscribers can generate profiles of every one of the government's 142,000 active vendors instantly on their desktops. More. In Brief... RICHMOND--SearchBlox Software, Inc., a developer of "search middleware," has released Version 3.1 of its Content Search Software with features that allow custom content to be indexed and searched, and includes spelling suggestions for search queries. More. | |||||||||
| Back To Top | Collaborations | |||||||||
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Circuit City to Offer PC Services to Customers RICHMOND-Electronic retailer Circuit City Stores, Inc., is packaging PlumChoice Online PC Services through its website and in select Circuit City stores. PlumChoice, of Bedford, Mass., offers remote computer support for the home, home office and small business. A secure desktop-sharing technology allows certified technicians to access consumers' computers over a high-speed Internet connection to view, configure, demonstrate and repair computers and other technology products. Said Circuit City executive Marc Sieger: "The addition of PlumChoice to Circuit City's current PC Services offering allows us to offer consumers a complete service package - from in-store to in-home support." Services include MP3 player installation ($34.9), wireless network set up ($79.99) and PC tun up ($99.99). More. CCS and SoftSolutions Strike Strategic Alliance ROANOKE/CHRISTIANSBURG--SoftSolutions, Inc., and CCS, Inc., have formed a strategic alliance to expand the range of technology products and services they provide clients. The complementary offerings include real-time performance management, comprehensive electronic document and workflow management, ruggedized industrial computers, IT systems design and integration, and custom technology solutions for a variety of manufacturing organization needs. More. In Brief... Mobile 365, MSN Hook Up with Indian Wireless Firms CHANTILLY-Mobile 365, a developer of mobile messaging and data services, and MSN, Microsoft's Internet portal, are forging strategic alliances with five mobile operators in India, which collectively have more than 23 million mobile phone subscribers. More. | |||||||||
| Back To Top | R&D / Intellectual Property | |||||||||
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UVa Research Receives $45 Million Donation CHARLOTTESVILLE-The Ivy Foundation of Charlottesville has given $45 million to the University of Virginia Health System to expand laboratory space for biomedical research and speed the translation of new discoveries into effective treatments and cures. One of the largest contributions in U.Va.'s history, the gift will support a new translational research facility that will encourage collaboration among investigators and clinicians; an outpatient facility for the U.Va. Children's Hospitall and a clinical cancer building. More. VCU Licenses Anti-Sickling Agent to Xechem RICHMOND-Virginia Commonwealth University has licensed its five-membered heterocyclic anti-sickling compound to Xechem International, Inc., of New Brunswick, N.J. Early research has shown the agent to be a highly effective and relatively non-toxic treatment for Sickle Cell Diseas, which afflicts an estimated 12 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Said Professor Don Abraham of VCU: "The … compound is the best potential antisickling agent in 30 years research to be discovered by our research group. More. Insmed Wins FDA Approval for IPLEX RICHMOND-Insmed Incorporated has gained approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration to use its proprietary drug IPLEX for the treatment of growth failure in children with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency. As an orphan drug, IPLEX is entitled to seven years of marketing exclusivity. More. | |||||||||
| Back To Top | People | |||||||||
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In Brief... ROANOKE-Advance Auto Parts has appointed Michael O. Moore executive vice president and CFO of the company. More. He replaces Jeffrey T. Gray, who resigned to "pursue other business opportunities." More. VIENNA-MSSI, a provider of medical personnel, has named Robert Murphy COO effective Jan. 1. More. | |||||||||
| Back To Top | Trends | |||||||||
 Chmura Economics & Analytics |
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 Virginia unemployment. The unemployment rate in both Virginia and the nation inched down in October. For the month, the state unemployment rate stood at 3.4 percent, the second-lowest rate in the nation, while the national unemployment rate rested at 5.0 percent. During the year, the state unemployment rate has remained fairly steady, ranging from 3.3 percent to 3.7 percent. 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. | ||||||||
| Back To Top | Other News | |||||||||
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State to Spend $243 Million on Water Clean Up RICHMOND-Gov. Mark R. Warner has announced that the state's next budget will include $242.5 million for drinking water programs and the largest single investment in water quality in state history. Of that, $200 million for the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund will accelerate improvements to 92 wastewater treatment plants in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, helping them meet the new 'strictest in the nation' water regulations for all five tributaries in the watershed. More. MCI Expands IP Network Infrastructure in Asia Pac Region ASHBURN--MCI, Inc., is joining the SEA-ME-WE4 cable system, a next-generation undersea cable spanning 20,000 kilometers, that will link France to Singapore via the Middle East and Indian subcontinent. MCI is the only U.S.-based service provider participating as an initial Member. Said MCI executive Ihab Tarazi: "This cable system greatly enhances the capacity available in an important region of the world that is showing impressive growth and demand for communications services." More. Comcast Brings IP-Enabled Telephone Service to NoVa ALEXANDRIA-On the heels of its product launch in Richmond, Cable giant Comcast is rolling out its Comcast Digital Voice service in Alexandria, Arlington, Reston and western Prince William County. The IP-enabled voice service provides unlimited direct-dial local and domestic long-distance calling, Web access to voicemail, and other popular futures. More. Verizon Wireless Debuts Broadband Service in Hampton Roads NORFOLK-Verizon Wireless will launch BroadbandAccess, a wireless broadband Internet access service, and V CAST, a wireless broadband multimedia service, in Hampton Roads by the end of the year. Both services operate on the company's high-speed EV-DO (Evolution Data-Optimized) national wireless broadband network. More. | |||||||||
| Back To Top | Commentary | |||||||||
 A Better Way to Grow Suburban sprawl is the product of government subsidies. A free market approach to development would be far more efficient. More. |
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The Gunst Guide to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Government regs have made a mess of real estate development, says the creator of Innsbrook. It's time to rewrite the rules and start over. When Sidney Gunst talks about the dysfunctional pattern of development that has transmogrified Virginia over the past 35 years, he speaks with authority. He is the man who developed the Innsbrook office park in Henrico County... the man who created the second largest employment center in the Richmond metropolitan area... the man who single-handedly drove Richmond's demographic center of gravity miles to the west. More. | ||||||||
| Back To Top | Events | |||||||||
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