Another book out by a Richmond business woman

Find your reading glasses. At the beginning of the month RBS ran a story about local business men and women who write books. Since we ran that story, a few more authors came out of the book stacks. “Writing a book remains a popular pastime and calculated strategy for local business leaders. For some, authoring a book – with or without a ghostwriter – is a way to demonstrate expertise and establish street cred to promote consulting. For others it’s a ticket to the speaking circuit, where fees can range from a $100 honorarium to more than $10,000. Still other entrepreneurs say they just want to share what they’ve learned and help budding business owners navigate the challenges they encountered.” Marta C. Wilson, the founder of Transformation Systems Inc, has a new book out entitled, “Leaders in Motion” Winning the Race for Organizational Health, Wealth, and Creative Power.” ...

Va. barge line plots new course

A barge service between Norfolk and Richmond set to launch on December 1 has been sold, according to the Virginian-Pilot.

Dipping into their options: How officials lured hummus maker to Va.

Last week, local and state economic developers announced that Sabra Dipping Co. would open a $59 million hummus plant in Chesterfield in 2010. The deal required six months of work by state and local economic development groups and the right mix of incentives. But it was Sabra Dipping that made the first move. Sabra requested proposals from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in early March. At the time, the company wanted to find an existing facility that could be retrofitted.

LandAmerica files for bankruptcy & sells underwriting units

Title insurer LandAmerica has filed for bankruptcy. Three of its underwriting units will be sold, the company said. The stock is trading at $.20 a share, down 80% from the close yesterday. Fidelity National Financial said it would buy LandAmerica's underwriting units Lawyers Title Insurance Corp and United Capital Title Insurance Co for $139.4 million. The units Fidelity National is purchasing remain solvent and continue to operate.

RBS on CBS

RBS went on CBS news last night. Katie Couric is great. Just kidding, it was the local CBS 6 station. We were last on the station over the summer when we talked about a study comparing salaries of various college graduates. This time they came to our humble offices and asked me about how the layoffs at big companies will trickle down. Hopefully this can become a regular thing for us, which should help us get our name out there.

Bank branches out to Georgia

The Bank of Essex has assumed $600 million in deposits previously held by The Community Bank in Loganville, Ga. A Richmond-based bank has gobbled up deposits of a failed Georgia bank. Tappahannock-based Bank of Essex has assumed $600 million in deposits previously held by The Community Bank in Loganville, Ga.

Highwoods pitches plan to Shockoe Bottom

Planners of a proposed downtown ballpark development made a pitch to and fielded questions from residents and business owners Monday night at the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association’s monthly meeting. “The area you are looking at for redevelopment is mostly parking lots. There really hasn't been any significant development here since [tropical storm] Gaston,” said Highwoods Vice President Paul Kreckman. “The land we are looking at acquiring currently generates less than $150,000 a year in taxes.”

The $135 stimulus check you already got

Richmond commuters got an unexpected holiday bonus: $135 in average fuel savings since July. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, vehicles in the Richmond metro area are driven an average of 29 miles on any given weekday, or 145 miles in a workweek. If local gas prices had remained at their July peak of $4.01 a gallon, the driver of a vehicle that gets 19.8 mpg, the national average, would have paid $584 for fuel between then and now.

Innsbrook Empties Out: Vacancy Rate Poised to Double

Nearly 1 million square feet of class A office space in the Innsbrook area could be vacated as locally-based corporations downsize, driving down rental rates in the area but potentially making the Richmond area more attractive to corporations considering moving here. Almost every office building at Innsbrook has a “for lease” sign, and the situation is going to get worse before it gets better. After declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy Nov. 10, Circuit City will probably consolidate from two buildings to one on Mayland Drive, giving back 250,000 square feet.

Award show season; for Richmond businesses

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is accepting nominations for the Muse Award, which goes out annually to a creative business in Richmond. The deadline is March 12. According to the VMFA, the award honors Virginia companies whose unique and creative approaches to business challenge traditional thinking.

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