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| Business Intelligence for Virginia's Entrepreneurial Economy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue... Expansions, Relocations and Launches, Who's Winning Business, Deals & Partnerships, Innovations, Partnerships & Collaborations, Research & Intellectual Property, Trends, Other, 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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DynCorp Transfers H.Q. to Northern Virginia FALLS CHURCH--DynCorp International, a professional services and project-management company, has transferred its principal executive offices from Irving, Tex., to Falls Church. None of the company's 600 Texas employees will relocate, but the new CEO, Herbert J. Lanese, will work in Virginia. Said Robert B. McKeon: "The company right now is headquartered in Dallas and we have a lot of...key functions down here. But...it's important to have the very senior leadership in Washington close to our customers." The federal government is DynCorp's largest customer. More. Colonial Williamsburg Reopens Lodge WILLIAMSBURG--Colonial Williamsburg has opened its Lodge Conference Center after extensive renovations. The new facility offers 45,000 square feet of meeting space, 323 guest rooms, a lounge and bar and a 205-seat restaurant. More. Bioinformatics Institute Establishes Washington-area Presence ALEXANDRIA--The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, of Virginia Tech, will open an office in Alexandria, the first step in a strategic move to build a larger presence in the greater Washington area. The initial facility comprises nine offices for executive staff and faculty and includes a state-of-the-art executive meeting space and an access-node grid to enable group-to-group communications. More. Remuda to Treat Eating Disorders in Caroline County BOWLING GREEN--Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating Disorders, a Phoenix-based treatment center for women and girls suffering from eating disorders, will open a treatment center in a former Easter Seals camp in Caroline County. The 30- to 60-bed facility will employ 120 over three shifts. More. In Brief... ALEXANDRIA--Davidson Hotel Company has completed a $10.2 million renovation of the 496-room Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Hot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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StreamerNet Raises $1.5 Million in Angel Funding LEESBURG--StreamerNet Corporation, developer of video-streaming technologies, has secured $1.5 million in early-stage angel financing in anticipation of negotiating a follow-on round of venture financing. Said CEO William Hornbeck: "After more than three years of refinement, our technologies are ... seeing broad acceptance in several key industry sectors." More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Not | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Luna Losses Exceed Expectations ROANOKE--Luna Innovations Incorporated, a developer of molecular technologies and sensing solutions, has announced that earnings for the second half of 2006 would fall below expectations: a loss in the range of $4.5 million to $5.5 million. The company cited two problems: (1) a lag in the recruitment of personnel to work on recently awarded contracts, and (2) lower-than-expected sales of products related to sensing systems and advanced materials. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Winning Business... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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QMobile Licenses Disney Content for Mobile Distribution RESTON--Qmobile Inc., a mobile entertainment company, has inked a mobile content distribution deal with the Walt Disney Internet Group, to make Disney content available for Qmobile's "Qtones" service. The lineup will include graphics and tones. Said Charlie Minesinger, vp of business development: "In this time of convergence, we are an entertainment publisher. ... Simply licensing popular programs and characters is not enough - each property we choose, we select carefully in order to add value in the mobile market and this deal with Walt Disney Internet Group is a perfect example." More. ADMMicro to Install Energy Management System in Advance Auto Stores ROANOKE-ADMMicro has signed an agreement with Advance Auto Parts to retrofit some existing stores and equip new stores with ADMMicro's Energy Management System. The nucleus of the system is a controller that enables monitoring and remote control of electricity or natural gas with integrated thermostats and load controllers. Said CEO Don Howell: "Historically, it was difficult to cost-justify the installation of energy management systems in anything but larger facilities. But the ADMMicro integrated system has broken that mold and is a viable business proposition for buildings as small as 1,500 square feet." More. Northup Grumman Nails $500 Million Wireless Upgrade McLEAN-Northrup Grumman Corporation has won a five-year, $500 million contract to upgrade New York City's broadband public-safety wireless network. The effort will enhance the city's existing mobile wireless communications network with high-speed data and video capabilities. Said Paul Cosgrave, New York's IT commissioner: "Northrop Grumman's solution will provide our emergency responders with quick access to critical information in the field, enabling them to be better prepared to protect our city and its residents." More. Perot Snags $200 Million in Dep't of Education Contracts FAIRFAX--Perot Systems Corporation has won two contracts totaling $200 million from the U.S. Department of Education to outsource data center operations and re-engineer partner management under the office of Federal Student Aid. Perot Systems will provide a single computing environment for hosting and processing Federal Student Aid's financial aid delivery systems, which annually support delivery of $78 billion in postsecondary student financial aid. More. Circuit City to Test IntelliMats in Toronto ROANOKE--IntelliMats, LLC, has launched a cooperative pilot program with The Source By Circuit City to place its digital video signage display mats in Toronto-area stores. The IntelliMat is a wireless computer embedded in a thin mat made of a lightweight thermoplastic alloy. With four LCD screens, it delivers color, motion and sound from a high quality video display right at the shopper's feet at the point of sale. Earlier, U.S. retail pilot programs showed that more than 90 percent of customers are drawn to the mat. More. In Brief... RESTON-Accenture, a management and technology consulting firm, has won a contract with an estimated value of $54 million to deliver a new, integrated debt collection system to the U.S. Department of Justice. More. ARLINGTON--CACI International Inc has been awarded a prime contract potentially worth $20 million over five years to continue support for the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. More. MCLEAN--BearingPoint, Inc., a management and technology consulting firm, has won an $8 million contract from the Department of Navy to continue leading Navy efforts to roll out the world's largest Electronic Records Management Solution. More. HERNDON-Cybertrust has sold its UniCERT public key infrastructure certification solution to Postecom, of Italy, to ensure the secure transfer of sensitive and confidential information between European local governments and external sources. More. RESTON--Approva Corporation, a developer of enterprise controls management software, has licensed its BizRights Platform and Enterprise Controls Suite to Reliance Industries Limited, India's largest private sector enterprise. More. RESTON--Daon, a provider of identity assurance software, is supplying biometric software and services to the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs under a subcontract to Unisys as part of a $50 million program designed to enhance border security. More. RICHMOND--Commonwealth Biotechnologies, Inc., a contract research company, has reported new contract awards totaling $2.35 million. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Deal Makers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pulaski, SLF Merge to Create Furniture Giant PULASKI--Pulaski Furniture and SLF (Samuel Lawrence Furniture), of Phoenix, will merge to create a Top Twenty furniture manufacturing and import company. The new company, Home Meridian International will be led by George Revington, former president and CEO of SLF, but the headquarters will be in Pulaski. Said Revington: "The ability to access and leverage Pulaski's brand development and marketing expertise combined with SLF's strength in global design, sourcing and distribution logistics will represent one of the most forward-focused, efficient and responsive business models in the world." More. Mobile 365 Sells Out to Sybase for $425 Million CHANTILLY-Mobile 365, a developer of mobile messaging and content delivery, has agreed to a buyout by Dublin, Calif.-based Sybase, Inc. for $425 million, with adjustments for working capital. In fiscal 2006, Mobile 365 generated $90 million in revenue. The company delivers more than three billion messages per month and has approximately 700 connections into mobile operators around the world, enabling customers to conduct voting, live event contests, broadcasts, and mobile alerts, with consumers around the globe. Said Sybase Chairman John Chen: "The mobile messaging market in the U.S. alone is expected to grow to $7.5 billion by 2008." Added Mike Daniels, Mobile 365 executive chairman: "With Mobile 365's technology, Sybase can now deliver any mobile message or application to any handset-anytime, anywhere." More. LandAmerica Acquires Capital Title for $250 Million RICHMOND--LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc., a provider of real estate transaction services, has completed the purchase of Capital Title Group, Inc., of Scottsdale, Ariz., for $199.3 million in cash plus shares of stock, in a transaction valued at $248.3 million. Said CEO Theodore L. Chandler, Jr.: "This acquisition strengthens our presence in the growing markets of the West and Southwest and adds scale to our Lender Services platform." More. Farms of New Kent to Issue $88 Million in CDA Bonds RICHMOND-The Richmond office of Stone & Youngberg, the nation's leading underwriter of land-secured debt, has packaged the largest land-secured bond issue in Virginia history for the The Farms of New Kent Community Development Authority. The bonds will pay for public infrastructure for the tax district, which is approximately 2,113 acres located 30 miles east of Richmond. The community will feature 2,500 homes, 650,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, and tourist and recreational amenities, including a working vineyard and an 18-hole golf course. More. webMethods Buys Infravio for $38 Million FAIRFAX--webMethods, Inc., a business integration and optimization software company, has agreed to acquire privately-held Infravio, Inc., of Cupertino, Calif., for $38 million in cash. Infravio provides service-oriented architecture (SOA) registry and governance solutions. SOA governance enables collaboration across disparate groups while allowing each participant to maintain their own distinct view of services and policies. More. Voice Technologies Sells Command Caller GLEN ALLEN--Voice Technologies has sold its Command Caller Premier Notification Solution to Prosodie Interactive, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Command Caller solution can deliver hundreds, even thousands, of simultaneous messages on demand. The service is in use at hundreds of civil and government control centers, military bases, correctional institutions, school systems, public utilities and private institutions. Voice Technologies will continue to develop and support customer call center applications and is a support provider for Intervoice/Edify software. More. In Brief... HERNDON--Apptix, a provider of on-demand messaging and collaboration solutions, has acquired Mi8 Corporation, of New York, establishing Apptix as the dominant provider of on-demand messaging and collaboration solutions to the small-midsized business market. More. CHANTILLY--PC Mall Gov, Inc., a rapid-response supplier of technology solutions for government and educational institutions, has acquired the contracts and product business assets of Government Micro Resources, Inc. for $3.25 million. More. VIENNA--Echo Healthcare Acquisition Corp. has agreed to XLNT Veterinary Care, Inc., owner and operator of 11 veterinary hotels, and has executed binding and non-binding agreements to acquire 17 more. More. VIENNA--Medical Staffing Solutions, Inc., has agreed to sell its Nurses Onsite Corp. subsidiary to General Healthcare Resources for $2.85 million. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Innovations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Crutchfield Launches "Ultimate Tailgating Experience" CHARLOTTESVILLE-Crutchfield Corporation, a direct marketer of consumer electronics, has rolled out a promotion around the "Ultimate Tailgating Experience," offering a wide selection of satellite radios, televisions, digital cameras, GPS devices, stereos, speakers and more - "everything needed to be the envy of the stadium lot." In a departure from electronics products, the company also is peddling the Freedom Grill, a portable, propane-fueled grilling system that attaches to a standard trailer hitch receiver and swings out for cooking at the game. More. Crutchfield Introduces Online Tools to Build Home Entertainment Centers CHARLOTTESVILLE-Crutchfield Corporation, a direct marketer of consumer electronics, has unveiled its online "Home System Planning Center" to help consumers customize their home entertainment center. The center provides tools that help customers integrate the audio/video components they already own -- TVs, DVD players, home speakers -- with new ones they want to buy. A database provides access to more than 6,000 products. More. In Brief... CHARLOTTESVILLE-SNL has begun posting the first broker-based energy index of North American power. More. ALEXANDRIA--Benu Inc., a health benefits integrator, is rolling out its Benu Blended Rate to insurance brokers in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., as a simplified method for delivering health plan quotes to employers and a tool to reduce premiums. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Partnerships and Collaborations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Javien, Gold Mobile Partner to Provide Mobile Commerce Solutions MCLEAN--Javien Digital Payment Solutions, Inc., has partnered with Gold Mobile, of Clark, N.J., to provide m-commerce solutions for companies planning to capture a share of the mobile content sales market. The partnership has simplified and automated the integration of e-commerce with m-commerce while providing the consumer with payment options for purchase or subscription of mobile content. Consumers can use the technology to pay for downloaded ringtones, wallpaper, video, games, music and articles. More. In Brief... RICHMOND-Access America, a provider of travel insurance, is partnering with Atlanta-based Worldspan, L.P. in a deal that allows Worldspan's American travel agency subscribers to easily purchase travel protection for their clients. More. WILLIAMSBURG--MHI Hospitality Corporation has entered into a strategic alliance agreement with Coakley & Williams Hotel Management Company, a Maryland hospitality management company, in which Coakely will provide non-exclusive investment opportunities that align with MHI Hospitality's strategy. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | R&D / Intellectual Property | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Wahoos Put a New Spin on Spin CHARLOTTESVILLE--A new center at the University of Virginia is pursuing research into an emerging field of "spintronics," which is based on the spin, rather than the charge, of electrons. Said center director Stuart Wolf: "Through the SpinQuest Center, we will be able to gather scientists from around the University - in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and engineering - to collaborate on interdisciplinary research that promises to push back the current boundaries of information technology. Our goals are to be able to do more data processing faster, at a lower level of power usage and at a lower cost." More. In Brief... ARLINGTON--System Planning Corporation has been awarded the U.S. patent for the first comprehensive global intermodal security and monitoring system for tracking container shipments by ship, trailer, truck and rail car. More. RESTON--Planning Systems, Inc., a technology product company, has licensed technology from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory that detects and calculates a range and direction of gunshots, allowing police to respond more effectively to gun-related violence. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Trends | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Chmura Economics & Analytics |
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 Housing price appreciation. House price appreciation slowed in both Virginia and the United States in the second quarter of 2006. For the year ending with the second quarter, house prices advanced 14.2 percent in the state, compared to 10.1 percent in the nation. During that period, house prices in Hampton Roads MSA grew 17.4 percent, the fastest of the state metro areas. House prices also rose rapidly in Winchester MSA (+17.0 percent) and Harrisonburg MSA (+16.5 percent). For details on regional economic conditions across Virginia, including Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads, as well as a list of Chmura Economics & Analytics (CEA) products and services, click here or call 804-649-1107. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Commentary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Taxpayers Can't Afford "Affordable Housing" Can't afford to buy a house? Try saving. Or working two jobs. Don't ask the City of Virginia Beach to take it out of my hide. More. |
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The Dog that Didn't Bark Like the hound of Holmesian lore, former VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet is keeping unusually quiet. That's a clue for deciphering the shifting momentum of the transportation debate. Unlike earlier this year, when he gave passionate speeches calling for higher taxes, Philip Shucet will be sitting on the political sidelines of the transportation debate. The former Virginia Department of Transportation commissioner still believes that Virginia needs to raise another $1 billion a year to deal with its transportation woes, but he realizes that Virginia politics has reached a gridlock of its own. That's why he declined a request from a lobbying group (which he prefers not to identify) to contribute money and help ramp up the P.R. machine one more time. It's time, Shucet says, to step back, take a deep breath and re-think how to reach that goal. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Events | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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