Computer programmer and Henrico resident Rajendrasinh B. Makwana pleaded not guilty Friday to a federal charge that he planted a virus on Fannie Mae’s computer system that was designed to wipe out all of the company’s data nationwide.
Al Harris
Monday Q&A: Richmond biz broker Rick Hayden
If you keep seeing “Under New Management” signs all over the place, you’re not imagining things. Rick Hayden, founder of Richmond-based ABBN Business Brokerage, says he has seen a boom in the number of people looking to buy an existing business.
Office vacancy up at Innsbrook, down in the City
The vacancy rate at Innsbrook and nearby office parks continued to rise last quarter, and, with several big chunks set to come available this year.
Solar startup ready for sunrise on incentives
On a cold winter day, Bernie Stanley of Shockoe Solar puts the finishing touches on a solar panel array atop a veterinarian clinic in Glen Allen. Stanley, as far as he knows, is the only solar panel installer in Central Virginia. But that could change if Gov. Tim Kaine’s proposal to give businesses and residents… Read more »
Help Wanted: VCU alum
Virginia Commonwealth University is launching a new website Monday to help alumni find jobs and help employers find alumni to hire. The site is operated by the Business and Engineering Career Center and initially will only be open to alumni of the business and engineering schools. Alumni will be able to fill in some identifying… Read more »
Henrico’s plan
Qimonda, LandAmerica, Circuit City, Genworth. Four of the major corporations and private employers in Henrico County have shed at least 5,000 high-paying jobs. And it’s likely to get worse before it gets better, says Leonard Cake, the county’s director of economic development. Still, the county has more than 20,000 businesses, and as of November the… Read more »
Limo company moves to the Boulevard
Consumers and businesses might be cutting expenses, but that doesn’t seem to stop them from riding in style. James Limousine increased sales 40 percent over the previous year. Now the company rings in the New Year by moving into a 27,000-square-foot facility at 1207 North Boulevard. Randy Allen, co-owner and vice president of sales and… Read more »
State wants to close retail tax loophole
When Virginia shoppers pay the 5 percent sales tax on retail goods, most – but not all of it – goes to the state. A small percentage is kept by the business. It’s called the dealer’s discount, and it has been in place since Virginia started the sales tax more than 40 years ago. It… Read more »
VCU foundation buys former Ukrop’s for $9 million
The VCU Real Estate Foundation purchased the former Ukrop’s store and parking lot at Grace and Harrison streets for more than four times what a previous investor paid in 2002. The purchase price is three times the property’s assessed value, according to city land records. The purchase was completed Dec. 23. The foundation is a… Read more »
Former Wachovia Securities workers open consulting firm
The trend continues: Two more Wachovia-ers have started their own business. Deanna Lorianni and Meghan Codd are the founders and sole employees of Zuula Consulting, a copywriting firm that offers a broad range of services and specializes in financial writing, ghostwriting and promotional materials. They opened in July, a few days after their last day… Read more »