A divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that a West Virginia judge should have recused himself from a trial involving Richmond-based Massey Energy Company. The appeals court judge, Brent Benjamin, received $3 million in support from Massey chief executive Don Blankenship during his campaign to be elected to the state bench. From the Reuters article:… Read more »
Al Harris
Solar firm turns to local farms to grow business
A federal incentive program could forever change the face of Virginia’s agriculture industry by encouraging more farms to install solar energy systems. That’s the hope of Blue Crump, owner of Fan-based Cityspace Construction and Cityspace Solar.
Monday Q&A: Summer tourism outlook
Last summer, the tourism industry faced high gas prices; this year, the economy is bearing down on residents’ vacations. But Alisa Bailey, president and chief executive of the Virginia Tourism Corporation said that doesn’t mean people are staying home. They just aren’t straying as far from it, she said.
More on Body Politic’s demise
The Body Politic, the Richmond-filmed pilot that failed to land a spot on the CW’s fall schedule, was among several other Beltway dramas to get the thumbs down from major networks. Networks are concerned a new political series will never measure up to The West Wing, according to a New York Times editorial. From the… Read more »
The Pipeline: Commercial Real Estate Round Up for 6.5.09
Benchmark Wealth Advisors, Inc. leased 920 square feet at 4198 Cox Road in Henrico. Electronic Systems, Inc. leased 18,000 square fet at 10406 Lakeridge Parkway in Hanover County.
3, 2, 1, Chipotle!
Chipotle fans, start your countdown. The new Chipotle burrito restaurant opens June 11 at Grace and Laurel streets on the VCU campus. This will be the fast-growing chain’s seventh location in the Richmond area. It is the first tenant to open in a strip center built on the site of what was a Pizza Hut…. Read more »
Local builder files for bankruptcy protection
Prospect Homes, a local homebuilder for more than 25 years, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday. The company owes more than $50 million to hundreds of creditors. Many businesses listed as creditors were not surprised by the news, as checks had been late in arriving for at least six months. But several local business owners said they kept working with Prospect after Audi met with them, in part because they wanted future work and had known the company for decades.
Richmond salon adds two locations
A local salon and spa, Salon del Sol, is expanding its presence in the Roanoke Valley. The Roanoke Times reports that the Richmond-based salon purchased valley-based SpaVa Premier Day Spa locations in Roanoke and Salem. From the article: SpaVa has had a long presence in the Roanoke Valley. Its owner, Robyn Goodpasture, opened the day… Read more »
What’s on tap? Beer-tracking technology
Forget Big Brother. From its headquarters in Powhatan County local startup InteliTap, tracks kegs of beer from the brewery to the moment its contents are poured into a customer’s frosty glass. The company can notify a bar owner anywhere in the world when a barkeep is a little too generous with a pint of the good stuff. And business is set to grow 80 percent this year.
Famous artist’s painting found in Circuit City’s closet
Stashed away in a closet in the former Circuit City headquarters, a piece of work by a world-famous artist was found by the liquidation firm. Now the hand-signed lithograph by Alexander Calder is for sale by the firm on eBay.com. As of Monday at 4:19 p.m., the bid was $2.25 with two bids. The reserve… Read more »