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Danville’s Beyond Video & Tanning to Close After 23 years

Sad news for Danville residents, as Beyond Video & Tanning announced it will be closing before the end of the month, according to the Danville Register Bee.

The locally-owned store has been in business for 23 years, and will be missed by residents. Hopefully a new business will move into the empty space soon.

"A locally owned movie rental business and tanning salon will close its doors after 23 years.
Beyond Video & Tanning will close to customers Jan. 21 and will leave Cain Creek Shopping Center across from the airport by the end of the month, owner Robert Bridgforth said.

'I’m going to miss the people,' Bridgforth said. 'I would like to express my enjoyment in the last 23 years to the people I met and providing good entertainment to the public.'

Every year for the past three, business decreased by 10 percent, he added. The 57-year-old attributes the decline in the movie rental business to the culmination of the current economic recession, higher gas prices, the success of Netflix, bootlegging and the Internet and cable delivery of movies on the same dates as DVD releases.

'Netflix has earned my admiration as a well-run and good service,' he added. 'The business model suits the customer’s needs.'

The recession in itself may have been good for business as people stay in instead of going out, but gas prices made renting and returning movies — two trips — more expensive, he said.

The tanning business also decreased with changing demographics and the best customers buying their own beds, Bridgforth said. He added the tanning salon to diversify the business in 1989.

Now, the store’s 5,000 DVDs and VHS cassettes and nine tanning beds are up for grabs as part of the store’s liquidation sale."

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Posted on Friday, January 8, 2010 - 12:27am

Richmond and Hampton Roads

Richmond and Hampton Roads both placed well on a study that compared 50 metropolitan areas across the country for operating costs for a headquarters, according to The Virginian Pilot.

This is good news for homeowners in these areas, because companies greatly desire to have their headquarters in locations with low operating costs. Any major company that moves their headquarters to Richmond or Hampton Roads will bring new jobs, tax revenue and growth to the area - all of which will help protect home values.

"Cheap labor and construction costs have made Hampton Roads an attractive location for corporate headquarters, according to a recently released report.

The study compared 50 metropolitan areas across the country that already are home to at least one major corporation. Of those, Hampton Roads ranked as the third-lowest in annual operating expenses for a headquarters, according to The Boyd Co. Inc., the Princeton, N.J.-based site-selection consulting firm that compiled the report.

The company compared markets looking at both labor costs for operating a headquarters with 325 employees and the cost of maintaining a 70,000-square-foot, top-of-the-line building.

'Labor tends to dominate the equation, and Virginia is a right-to-work state, unlike Maryland, Pennsylvania,' said John Boyd Jr., head of The Boyd Co. 'The labor climate favors management over labor. That tends to calm that inflationary wage pressure.'

Sioux Falls, S.D., and Little Rock, Ark., are the only two cities on Boyd's list that cost less than Hampton Roads. Richmond also made it, as the ninth-least-expensive metro area."

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Posted on Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 12:42am

Teleworkers Would Get Tax Break Under Bill

Some state leaders are working for a bill that would allow telecommuters to get an annual tax credit of up to $1,000 for teleworking, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch.

This tax credit could benefit many homeowners while also alleviating some stress on congested highways.

"Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-1st, wants telecommuters to get an extra benefit from keeping their cars off the highway.

Local residents who work remotely already get a boost from staying out of the gridlock on such roads as Interstates 95 and 66.

And Wittman, who represents part of southern Prince William County, introduced a bill Wednesday that would provide an annual tax credit of up to $1,000 for teleworking.

Under the bill, an employee who works at least 75 days a year away from his or her office would be eligible for the full credit.

It would be given for qualifying expenses such as furniture or computer equipment the worker needs to facilitate telecommuting.

If an employee telecommuted less than 75 days, he or she would be eligible for a pro-rated credit, Wittman said in a telephone town-hall meeting with constituents Wednesday night.

'So we're trying to provide some tax incentives for folks to work out of their home,' the Republican said.

Wittman's bill says congestion in America's urban areas costs $87 million in 2007 in extra time and fuel used, and that the average commuter spends 8½ days a year in the car.

In addition to the tax credit, Wittman said he wants to make sure that telework centers provide secure facilities for workers dealing with sensitive information.
His bill comes at the same time that lawmakers are looking at 'comprehensive transportation solutions' that deal with roads, transit and even slugging, he said."

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Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 12:36am

Some Richmond Businesses are Succeeding in Recession

Some local businesses in Richmond have made some changes to keep their business alive and strong during the recession, according to NBC12.

This is great news for area homeowners because strong businesses help support the local economy, provide jobs and contribute to the tax base which helps keep property taxes from increasing.

"The recession has made it rough for local businesses. When businesses struggle, we often hear about layoffs. But many local companies made other strategic changes that have helped them to survive, and some to thrive. Here's a look at some of the changes that paid off.

At Leo Burke Furniture, they cut every expense they could and rented out part of their store to another store, Goodwill's Second Debut.

'We vacated that space,' said Jack Burke, owner of Leo Burke Furniture. 'That certainly helped to reduce our costs.'

And Burke started selling some furniture on consignment. 'People started asking us if we would take some of their pieces on consignment and we've done that. That worked out beautifully for the consumer. It's worked out fine for us,' he said."

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Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 10:50pm

Verizon to Lay Off 1,000 Employees

Verizon Communications is laying off more than 1,000 employees in the DC area, according to the Washington Post.

The layoffs could affect the local economy, but also might affect the service Verizon customers in Virginia receive.

"The largest union for Verizon Communications workers said the company is laying off more than 1,000 employees in the District, Maryland and Virginia.

Verizon spokesman Alberto Canal said the layoffs are part of the already-announced plan to cut 8,000 jobs before the end of the year. Canal confirmed that there have been layoffs this week but could not confirm the number given by the union.

The Communications Workers of America criticized the company for the cuts, pointing to its profit. Canal said the layoffs are a last resort after buyouts."

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Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 6:07pm

VA Farms Saw Increased Crops in 2008

Virginia farms saw an increase in crops and cash last year, according to the Daily Press.

This might be fueled by changes in our culture to buy local foods, and is great for support local farms that are continually faced with increasing costs. If the farming industry in Virginia can be strengthened, it will benefit all residents.

"A report says Virginia farms saw increased crop yields and cash receipts last year.

The report is compiled by the state office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

According to the report, corn surpassed soybeans as Virginia's No. 1 cash crop in 2008.

Crops that saw increases in production were corn, winter wheat, barley, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, hay and summer potatoes. Oats, tobacco and sweet potatoes saw a decrease in production.

Last year, farmers continued to face high input costs, specifically the costs of fuel, fertilizer and other farm supplies."

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Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 6:09pm

Chesterfield Has Seen an Increase in Number of Self-storage Facilities

At least one business has been growing in size over the past couple of years. The number of self-storage facilities in Chesterfield County has increased, according to the Chesterfield Observer.

This is good for homeowners because it's a service that they may need, but also because the growing industry is a boost the local economy and the new business contribute to the county's tax base.

"While many businesses are faltering in these tough economic times, at least one industry is continuing a slow but steady growth in Chesterfield County: self-storage facilities.

In the last two years, as the economy worsened, the number of self-storage businesses in Chesterfield grew from 31 to 35 facilities, a healthy 13 percent growth rate, according to Timothy J. Dietz, vice president of communications and government relations for the Alexandria-based National Self Storage Association. Nationally, the industry’s growth has remained more or less flat in the same period."

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Posted on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 - 7:27pm

Danville Manufacturers See Increase in Business

Several local manufacturers are seeing increases in business, according to GoDanRiver.com

Some of the companies seeing a boost include:

  • Goodyear Tire & Rubber
  • Nestlé
  • Cook Composites and Polymers Company
  • Essel Propack
  • Yorktowne Cabinetry
  • Amthor International

This great news for Danville area residents because the increase in business means that most of the employees that had been laid-off are now back at work, and working full-time hours. This improvement will help boost the local economy, and possibly attract new residents into the area. These are great signs for homeowners concerned about their property values, which will be protected by events like these.

"Local manufacturers say they’re seeing marginal to substantial growth in business, yet still remain cautious about the economy.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. reported an 11 percent increase in sales in the third quarter from the second quarter, but that’s down 15 percent from sales in 2008’s third quarter, according to the company’s earnings release.

Third quarter operating income still reflects weak industry demand compared to the prior year, the release stated.

Roughly 60 Goodyear workers are back on the job in the Danville plant, said Jo Andrews, communications manager for the Danville plant. The company anticipates adding more employees as business increases."

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Posted on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - 12:15pm

Rocky Mount Tries to Ring Up Sales With Coupons

Rocky Mount officials have devised a plan to help boost the local economy, according to AllBusiness.com.

The plan is to offer $5 dollar coupons for consumers to use at local businesses. Once redeemed, the town will pay back the local business $5 (with taxpayer money).

There have been a few options discussed on how to distribute the coupons, which include mailing them to residents, giving them to Ferrum students and putting them in places around town.

A few other initiatives to encourage shoppers to buy local. A town discount card and an "I AM Rocky Mount" campaign that highlights business owners and residents.

These are great ideas to help boost the local economy - which, will help local businesses and homeowners.

"Some may consider the recent rise in the stock market a positive sign of change in the economy, but many business owners are wondering when they'll see a surge in business.

In an effort to help, local government officials have decided to step in with $5 coupons -- funded with taxpayer money -- for consumers to use at local retailers.

Town Manager James Ervin and County Administrator Rick Huff approached Community Partnership for Revitalization -- a local nonprofit committed to promoting the town and revitalization efforts -- for ideas to encourage shoppers to get out and spend.

Partnership Director Katie McElroy proposed a coupon program called "5 on Us" in which the localities provide the coupons redeemable at local retailers and restaurants. Gas, groceries and prescriptions are excluded. For each coupon received, the locality will reimburse the business.

But when it came to time to approve the initiative, only the town decided to fund the program.

After the town council agreed to the idea last week, the county board of supervisors met this week over whether to approve its share of the program.

The supervisors had a lot of questions, including how the coupons would be distributed and enforced, as well as public reaction to using taxpayer money for such a purpose. The board decided that the county will monitor what happens with the town program and consider participating later, Huff said."

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Posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 3:53pm

Richmond Residents Shocked Over Proposed Names for Baseball Team

Baseball in Richmond has been a hot topic for sometime now, and it looked like the heated debate was coming to an end as a new team was found for the city. However, Richmond residents are expressing their unhappiness with the potential names of the new team.

After a contest that allowed residents to nominate names for the new team, the Double-A franchise selected five finalists, none of which seem to appeal to many Richmond residents.

Hopefully, the franchise, city officials and residents can work together to get the new team off to a great start and attract new fans that will help boost the local economy.

"After receiving more than 6,000 entries, including duplications, the front office of Richmond's Double-A baseball franchise has selected five finalists.

Flatheads. Flying Squirrels. Hambones. Rock Hoppers. Rhinos.

The Richmond team will adopt one of those names, all offered by the public in a name-the-team contest. The winner will be announced by Oct. 15. The franchise encourages online voting for one of the final five. The choice of the front office will be influenced by public input, according to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Todd Parnell, but the winner will not necessarily be the top vote-getter.

The franchise's front office liked the five finalists for these reasons, according to Parnell:

Flatheads: a kind of catfish commonly found in the James River.

Flying Squirrels: soar in Virginia.

Hambones: paying homage to Virginia ham.

Rock Hoppers: people or animals on river rocks.

Rhinos: alliteration featuring a powerful image.

Each finalist received trademark clearance, and approval from Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball. In terms of marketing potential, 'every single one of these has a life of its own,' said Parnell, who added that team operators will be satisfied with any of the five candidates.

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Posted on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - 11:25am