Body Politic crew keeps high profile on Monument Ave

The film crew for the new CW pilot “The Body Politic” that is filming in Richmond was highly visible yesterday as they set up shop off of Monument Ave near the Lee Monument. The crew was filming inside a Monument Ave house according to local blog Fan of the Fan. In case you didn’t drive by and catch a glimpse of the Hollywood visitors, Fan of the Fan snapped a few pictures for your viewing pleasure. For more information on the production, check out the article "TV crew coming to Richmond to film pilot " previously on Richmond BizSense.

First Market Bank bought by Union Bankshares

Richmond-based First Market Bank was acquired by Union Bankshares Corp. in an all-stock deal valued at about $100 million. The new holding company will move its headquarters from Bowling Green to Richmond, although that will only bring a few jobs downtown.

Biotech center raises funds for foreign investment

A private-investment fund being raised for the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park will provide support to international companies that want to add their presence to the research center.

NewsFeeds 3.31.09

S&K pays off credit line (Times-Dispatch) S&K Famous Brands has paid off a credit line used in bankruptcy and can continue operating without the looming threat of liquidation -- for now. Gov. Kaine seeks expansion of unemployment benefits (Virginian-Pilot) Kaine said he will ask the General Assembly next week to use federal stimulus dollars to extend unemployment payments an additional 13 weeks. The measure, if approved, would give many Virginians a maximum of 59 weeks of stipends. For U.S. and Carmakers, a Path Strewn With Pitfalls (NY Times) After a team of his aides concluded that the latest “viability plan” was once again far too modest, far too optimistic and far too late — a product of the same thinking that allowed Japan in the latter years of the 20th century to carve away one of the great American manufacturing franchises — Mr. Obama took a step that would ...

Program to help small businesses with health care costs

The Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia has endorsed Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) and Asset Protection Group to help their members and clients. 

Q&A: In the driver’s seat (a used seat)

Not everyone is hunkering down. EverDrive, a Chesterfield business that serves as the Match.com of used car parts, hired 10 workers in March and is looking to bring on five more. In April, the company is rolling out a new feature that will let any customer in the lower 48 states buy a used engine or transmission online, have a tow truck come pick it up and bring it to a mechanic, and return the vehicle – all without having to make a call or get up from the easy chair.

Chesterfield Honda dealership runs into legal snafu for new location

Pearson Honda ran into a legal issue last week when it asked the Chesterfield Planning Commission for site plan approval to relocate its dealership to Hull Street Road on 12 acres in the southwest quadrant with North Spring Run Road.

NewsFeeds 3.30.09

Dominion Virginia Power to raise rates? (Times-Dispatch) Dominion Virginia Power will ask the State Corporation Commission this week for its first base-rate increase in 17 years. With tens of millions of dollars likely at stake, the rate case has large implications for the company's financial well-being, Virginia's energy security and customers' pocketbooks. Cul-de-sacked (Virginia Gazette) VDOT regs will virtually prohibit cul-de-sacs by demanding instead that new developments cut through to the neighborhoods and stores around them. Existing neighborhoods are grandfathered unless they’re looking to expand. Cul-de-sacs have defined residential development in greater Williamsburg for  the past 40 years. Subdivisions were laid out to isolate homeowners from unwanted traffic. The new connectivity will make it easier for pedestrians and bicyclists, at the expense of an inherent privacy. Bubblespeak (Slate) The Orwellian language of Wall Street finds its way to the Treasury Department. Wagoner Is Ousted to Maintain GM's Lifeline ...

Richmond gets tossed from the Top Ten

Harsh. Forbes’ new list of best metro areas for business and careers is out, and Richmond is ranked 39. That isn’t terrible considering there are 200 cities on the list, but it is quite a tumble from last year’s number seven spot that has been touted by local economic development agencies. Richmond’s descent into the rankings isn’t totally a surprise considering the loss of Circuit City, Land America, Qimonda, and Wachovia Securities, as well as sizeable layoffs among the remaining Fortune 1000’s. But do Forbes rankings really mean that much? When the city is ranked highly it is a point of pride, and when it isn’t it is quietly ignored. In 2007, Richmond was ranked 14. In 2006, the city was ranked number 41, and the year before that we were 14 again. The up and down roller coaster ride really makes one wonder ...

EastCoast Entertainment Aquires Daniel Entertainment Group

Daniel Entertainment Group represents and books live entertainment for special events and private parties. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the agency has a prominent business position throughout the Southeast.

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