Biz Sense Intro

Contractors awaiting payment for work in Short Pump

Work continues at the mixed-use complex of West Broad Village in Short Pump, but several contractors have filed liens to make sure they get paid. Since October, seven companies have filed nine mechanic’s liens totaling more than $3.7 million against property owned by Unicorp National Development, the Florida-based developer of West Broad Village.

UR business dean leaving for GMU

Three and a half years ago Jorge Haddock became the dean of the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond, but he won’t be there much longer. Haddock accepted an offer earlier this month from George Mason University in Fairfax to become the new dean of their School of Management. The GMU board of visitors is in the final approval process of his appointment, which will be effective in July. Haddock will continue as dean at UR for the time being.

Liquor sales up, but more drink at home

For many Virginians, it looks like hard liquor isn’t considered discretionary spending. Sales at Virginia ABC stores are up 6.5 percent compared to the same period a year ago, according to fiscal year-to-date (July-November) sales figures from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Most searched car: Still a Honda

CarMax released a list of the 10 most-searched vehicles on its website for 2008. The Honda Accord was No. 1 for the third year in a row, followed by the Honda Civic. Three vehicles made by U.S. companies made the list: the Ford Mustang at No. 4, the Chevrolet Tahoe at No. 6 and the Ford F-150 at No. 7. Toyota and Nissan models fill out the list. According to CarMax, their website averages 5 million hits a month. The Top 10: 1. Honda Accord 2. Honda Civic 3. Toyota Camry 4. Ford Mustang 5. Nissan Altima 6. Chevrolet Tahoe 7. Ford F-150 8. Toyota Corolla 9. Toyota Tacoma 10. Nissan Maxima

Shockoe Bottom firehouse part of block-wide plan

A derelict block in Shockoe Bottom is about to get a major makeover. A group of local developers plans to turn the block into a mixed-use development with more than 200 residential units, 12,000 square feet of retail space and a restaurant. Construction could start next month. Developer Marcus Galt has spent the past two years acquiring parcels on Main and Franklin streets between 20th and 21st streets. He and his partners, Tom Dickey and Chris Johnson of Monument Construction, also plan to renovate a late 19th-century firehouse. “We are ready to go. We just need for the banks to ease up,” Galt said, adding that he and his crew have been waiting two and half months for financing. Galt said he has a verbal agreement with a bank.

Owens & Minor to sell diabetes-supply business

Owens & Minor announced today they are selling their direct-to-consumer diabetes-supply business to a Pennsylvania-based medical-management company. Liberty Healthcare, a privately held company, will pay $63 million to acquire the diabetes-supply business which includes patents and patient information. Owens & Minor will retain remaining assets and debts associated with the business and continue to collect payments for unpaid bills. Owens & Minor is a locally-based Fortune 500 medical supply company. The deal is expected to close in early January.

“Perfect Storm” watch

Memo to everyone, please stop using the expression “Perfect Storm.” It’s not only a cheap attempt at trying to make something sound more important, but it’s also misleading. It insinuates that a given event or consequence was a confluence of factors that nobody could have predicted. And more insidiously, it displaces blame from people who deserve it – like banks and mortgage lenders that gave out loans to anyone with a pulse.

Pad the résumé, just not too much

Teachers love to tell their students that liars and cheaters never win. But when was the last time they updated their résumés? As local companies shed jobs by the hundreds, the job hunt is becoming more cutthroat by the day. Laid-off employees – or those who just want to be prepared – need to update résumés by putting the right spin on their experience. For some, that means embellishing facts with some window dressing and the occasional white lie.

Army halts use of VCU product

The U.S. Army has suspended the use of a product invented by three VCU professors, over concerns it can lead to dangerous blood clots. The Army approved WoundStat to stop severe bleeding in wounded soldiers, and in October ordered 18,000 units from the Bethesda, Maryland-based manufacturer TraumaCure. The order pushed the company’s sales over the million dollar mark for the first time.

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