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| Business Intelligence for Virginia's Entrepreneurial Economy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue... Expansions, Relocations and Launches, Who's Hot, Who's Winning Business, Deal Makers, Innovations, Partnerships & Collaborations, Research & Development, 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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Sprint Nextel Invests $105 Million in Virginia System Upgrades RESTON--Sprint Nextel invested more than $105 million through the third quarter of 2006 in its Sprint PCS and Nextel networks in Virginia, with more to come before year end. The addition of wireless cell sites and equipment, part of a $7 billion national upgrade, will expand coverage and network capacity. More. Corning to Invest $12 Million in Danville RICHMOND-Corning Incorporated will invest $12 million over the next three years to expand its Specialty Materials Division in Danville, creating 50 new jobs. The Danville operations will expand with the addition of new product lines, the first of which is a polarized glass product used in laser telecommunications. More. Lease Signed for Lebanon Data Center LEBANON--Corporate Office Properties Trust has signed a second long-term lease with Northrop Grumman Corporation for a 103,000-square-foot office building that will contain a Tier II+ data center and call center. The Northrop Grumman Commonwealth Enterprise Solutions Center will house both the Virginia Information Technologies Agency and Northrop Grumman operations, serving as a back-up for a data center in Chesterfield County. More. Powers Launches CommuniClique Collaboration Tools ARLINGTON--Andy Powers, a veteran of several consulting companies and high-tech start-ups, has launched CommuniClique, a provider of on-demand collaboration tools utilizing Voice over IP. CommuniClique's communications switchboard enables users to share documents and collaborate on projects via screen sharing, text messaging, email, and VoIP communication. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Hot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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iNeoMarketing Receives CIT Funding HERNDON-iNeoMarketing, a hosted e-marketing software company, has received $100,000 in funding from the Center for Innovative Technology's Growth Acceleration Program. iNeoMarketing's first application is PluraPage, which enables marketers to develop and launch customized, personalized and branded landing pages integrated with salesforce.com or other CRM systems. More. In Brief... WINDSOR--CNB Bancorp, Inc., has raised more than $4 million through the sale of 650,000 shares of common stock at an offering price of $6.75 per share to shareholders and the public. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Not | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Genworth Subpoenaed in Federal Probe RICHMOND-A business unit of Genworth Financial, Inc., has received subpoenas from federal authorities related to an investigation of bid-rigging involving guaranteed investment contracts sold to municipalities. The company said it would cooperate fully with the investigation, explaining that it does not issue GICs to municipalities, although it does provide administrative and management services to a third party that does. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Winning Business | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pearson Snags $440 Million Medicare Help Line Contract ARLINGTON--Pearson Government Solutions has been awarded a two-and-a-half year, $440 million contract from the Centers for Medicare and Medicare and Medicaid Services to manage the Medicare help line. The program fields 20 million calls a year from the nation's 43 million Medicare beneficiaries. More Harris Awarded $42 Million State Department Contract FALLS CHURCH--Harris Corporation has been awarded a 12-month, $42 million follow-on contract by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, to provide technical support services to more than 230 U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. More than 250 personnel will continue to support high-volume business applications such as the processing of five million visa applications annually. More General Dynamics to Convert White House to IP Infrastructure FAIRFAX--General Dynamics Information Technology has won a $7 million follow-on contract to support the White House Communications Agency in its transition to Internet Protocol-based infrastructure for all communication. Said General Dynamics executive Zannie Smith: "The communications capabilities for the White House must sustain critical day-to-day and crisis operations communications without fail." More MicroStrategy to Power Analytics in Logistics Portal MCLEAN-MicroStrategy Incorporated, a provider of business intelligence software, has been selected to power the customer-facing analytics and reporting capabilities of GT Nexus's Global Logistics portal. The portal is an on-demand technology platform used by importers, exporters, carriers, suppliers, banks, and other partners. MicroStrategy's technology will enable customers to identify weak spots in their supply chains. More Tridium to Build WaWa Automation Platform RICHMOND--Tridium, Inc., a provider of device-to-enterprise automation, will supply its Niagara Convergence Retail Application to Wawa Food Markets, a chain of more than 550 convenience stores in the Mid-Atlantic. Tridium and its partner, Gaithersburg, Md.-based HVAC Concepts, will provide an end-to-end solution that connects each store's operating devices and systems in a single network. The application will monitor, control and archive data from a variety of systems including fuel management, HVAC, lighting, refrigeration, food service equipment and irrigation. More MPRI Sells Driver Training Simulator to Okies ALEXANDRIA--MPRI, a developer of simulator products, services and turnkey training facilities, has sold its PatrolSim IV driver training simulator to the Lawton, Okla., police department. The new simulator works in tandem with the department's use-of-force firearm simulator. More In Brief... ARLINGTON--CACI International Inc., has been awarded a contract potentially worth $64.5 million over four years to provide technical and engineering support to U.S. Army Product Manager, Network Operations - Current Force, in Fort Monmouth, N.J. More. FAIRFAX--Data Systems Analysts, Inc., has been awarded a $15.6 million multi-year task order from the Defense Information Systems Agency to support the Net-Centric Enterprise Services Program Management Office. More. MCLEAN--Spacenet has signed a five-year contract extension with Sunoco, of Philadelphia, Pa., that will provide upgraded satellite networking and managed services at approximately 900 company-owned retail stores across the United States. More. FAIRFAX--Argon ST, Inc., has been awarded a multi-year contract, the first year of which is worth $17.65 million, to continue developing a Torpedo Countermeasures System for the U.S. Navy. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Deal Makers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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McDonald Bradley Acquires SPS for $15 Million HERNDON--McDonald Bradley, Inc., an IT solutions provider, has acquired the Federal Business Unit of Software Performance Systems, Inc., of Falls Church, for $15 million, plus up to $3.5 million contingent upon the meeting of performance milestones. McDonald Bradley will integrate approximately 60 SPS employees and 20 consultants into its Civilian Agency practice area. More. First Potomac Buys Richmond, Norfolk Properties BETHESDA--First Potomac Realty Trust has completed the acquisition of commercial real estate properties in Richmond and Norfolk. The company paid $21.7 million for Park Central I, II and V, one-story flex/office buildings totaling 204,000 square feet, located in the I-95/Mechanicsville submarket of northern Richmond. It also paid $3.6 million for Gateway II, a 42,400-square-foot flex/office building located in a business park adjacent to Norfolk International Airport. Said chief investment officer Nicholas R. Smith: "These acquisitions extend our presence in several key markets that we targeted for expansion." More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Innovations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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New Funds Allow Investors to Invest in Local Entrepreneurs CHICAGO--Entrex, Inc. is launching four Congressional District Economic and Employment Growth Funds -- including one in Rep. Frank Wolf's 10th Virginia district and one in Rep. Rick Boucher's 9th -- to allow investors to funnel growth capital into a diverse basket of local entrepreneurial investments. Said Entrex CEO Stephen H. Watkins: "We're building these funds around current Congressional district lines, with the knowledge that these are pre-established smaller regions within states that already consider themselves a community." Our funds will provide investors a diverse basket of equity in researched and vetted regional companies, while also offering the potential of liquidity for shareholders. All member companies will be required to submit to a validation process, established by Entrex, to determine that they in fact warrant the label "Entrex Ensured." More. AOL Upgrades Instant Messaging Service DULLES--AOL today has launched a new instant messaging service, AIM 6.0. Available as a free download, the service offers deeper integration with AOL's social networking service to help users manage their social lives and enhance their online experiences. A mobile dashboard forwards instant messages to the user's cell phone, and an expanded buddy list ads up to 1,000 buddies. Said AOL executive Marcien Jenckes: "AIM is where our users go to chat with friends, share experiences and stay in constant touch with friends and family." More. Reynolds Expands Line of Trays and Lids RICHMOND--Reynolds Food Packaging is expanding its Cater-Time Lock-Fresh catering product line to include newly designed trays and lids for the food service and supermarket industries. The trays are equipped with a unique and secure locking mechanism. The crystal-clear domes lock into the trays and are designed for easy opening. Positive stacking allows for stable and efficient merchandising, display and transport. More. In Brief... HERNDON--Surety, LLC, a provider of data integrity solutions, has released AbsoluteProof-ISOX9, a timestamp service conforming with both the American National Standard X9.95-2005 Trusted Time Stamp Management and Security Standard and International Organization for Standardization. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Partnerships and Collaborations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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DATABASICS, NuTravel Partner on Corporate Travel Solution RESTON--DATABASICS, Inc. and nuTravel Technology Solutions, LLC, have partnered to provide corporate travelers with more control over travel budgets. The service integrates DATABASICS' expense-reporting service, ExpenSite, with nuTravel's managed online booking tool, allowing corporations increased control over bookings while maximizing savings with preferred vendors. Said Alan Tyson, CEO of DATABASICS: "The walls between travel, procurement and accounting are coming down." More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | R&D / Intellectual Property | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Wahoos Research Bone Health CHARLOTTESVILLE--Tissue engineers, among them the University of Virginia's Edward Botchwey, are devising new ways to restore bone to health. They begin with a three-dimensional, biodegradable matrix, seeded with bone cells, placed in a bioreactor and infused with the nutrients and molecules that bone cells need to stay alive and to organize themselves into functioning bone tissue. These scaffolds are then implanted in a patient's body, where they degrade as the bone cells mature. More. Wahoos Devise Andidotes for Nerve Agents CHARLOTTESVILLE--Jaideep Kapur, a neurology professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, has received a $2.3 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to develop treatments for nerve agent-induced seizures. Say Kapur: "We can give antidotes to soldiers in the field before they go into combat which protects them from some nerve agents. But in a terrorist attack, it can take precious time to respond to the incident and to administer any antidote. By the time the seizures start, it's too late for any current treatments." More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | People | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Falco to Run AOL DULLES--Randy Falco, president of the NBC Universal Television Group, has been named chairman and CEO of AOL LLC at a time the interactive media giant is managing a delicate transition from a subscription-driven business model to an advertising-driven model. Said Jeff Bewkes, COO of parent company Time Warner Inc.: "With his proven success in operations, business development, video programming and advertising-supported businesses, Randy brings the right tools to run AOL at this important time in its history." More. In a related move, Ron Grant, an AOL veteran who most recently served as Time Warner's senior vice president, operations, has been appointed president and COO of AOL LLC. More. In Brief... MCLEAN--Brabeion Software, a developer of IT security risk and compliance management software, has named Adrian Muniz as CFO. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Trends | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Chmura Economics & Analytics |
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 Roanoke manufacturing employment. This chart displays employment growth in the manufacturing sectors for both Roanoke MSA and Virginia. In recent years, while the state's manufacturing sector has contracted, manufacturing employment in Roanoke has expanded significantly. For the year ending with the first quarter of 2006, employment in Roanoke's manufacturing sector increased 7.4 percent (+1,426 jobs), compared to a 2.0 percent (-6,216 jobs) decline in manufacturing jobs in the state. 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, these data are not available for localities. For the latest analytics on labor market and workforce trends across Virginia, click here or call 804-649-1107. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Other News | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ladies, Please Get Your Sperm Tested FAIRFAX-Fairfax Cryobank, a provider of infertility treatment services, is warning women that Human Papillomavirus, certain strains of which can cause cervical cancer, can be transmitted not only through sexual contact but through the use of donor sperm. The company is the first and only sperm bank that protects its female patients by using DNA genetic analysis to test sperm donors for high-risk strains of HPV known to cause cervical cancer. Said medical director Harvey Stern: "We urge every woman who is planning to use donor sperm to investigate the scientific testing and screening performed on that sperm." More. Please, Please, Don't Throw Me in that Briar Patch! RICHMOND--Philip Morris USA is launching an advertising campaign to persuade entertainment industry decision-makers not to display its products in their productions. The campaign also encourages the industry to eliminate smoking scenes in movies directed at youth. Said Philip Morris executive Jennifer Hunter: "Some studies suggest [that movies] may influence a child's decision to smoke." More. In Brief... GROTTOES--Alcoa Packaging and the Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have reached an agreement on a five-year labor contract covering approximately 200 Alcoans at the company's Grottoes Plastics plant. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Made in Virginia for the Holiday... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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eStarling Unveils Wireless Digital Photo Frame MCLEAN-Start-up company eStarling, Inc., has launched the first wireless digital photo frame that allows users to update pictures via RSS feeds from several popular photo websites. The wireless networked home media appliance operates independently of a personal computer, enabling users to share photos directly with friends, family, or colleagues. More. Check it out here. http://www.estarling.com/ Cookies for Display and Eating RICHMOND--The Baker's Lady's has unveiled a new cookie wreath for the holiday season, delivering the company's cookies in a fun and festive way. The 14-inch cookie wreath is decorated with cookie packs in signature flavors, including white chocolate gingerbread, triple chocolate toffee, classic chocolate chip, and limited edition peppermint bark. With a dozen full-sized cookies and 20 small cookies, the wreath can be hung decoratively indoors and enjoyed a pack at a time. More. Check it out here. http://www.bakerslady.com/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Commentary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Four for NoVa Republicans have lost Northern Virginia for three statewide elections running. Here are four ideas that could tilt the vote-rich region back to the GOP. More. |
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Big Grid Monster power plants and transmission lines provide Virginians with relatively cheap, reliable electricity, but they have hidden risks and costs. It's time to transition to a system of distributed generation. When journalists write about electric power issues, most readers' eyes glaze over. This isn't the 1970s when electric rates shot higher every year, VEPCO was every populist's favorite bogey man and "Howling" Henry Howell made a run for the governorship on the slogan, "Keep the Big Boys Honest." Today, electric rates are capped (with minor adjustments) and Virginians enjoy lower-than- average electric rates. People are far more interested in which Hollywood celebrity is adopting an African baby than in how they get their electricity. Unless, of course, the juice goes off.... in which case, you'd think the world had come to an end. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Events | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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