According to Richmond BizSense, commercial real estate firms have reported $160.6 million in sales from 34 deals for the first four months of 2011, up more than 200 percent from the $47.9 million in sales for the same period in 2010.
“The office market for sales is just beginning to pick up a little steam, and I suspect that we will see some fairly steady activity from here on out,” said Walton Makepeace, a broker with CB Richard Ellis.
Makepeace was one of the brokers involved with the second-largest deal to move forward this year: Dominion Realty Partners’ $63.7 million sale of Riverside on the James to McLean-based American Real Estate Partners.
“I think that deal will start some momentum in downtown Richmond for office building sales,” Makepeace said.
To read the full Richmond BizSense article, please click here.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
University of Richmond business school has a top program in the U.S.
According to a Richmond Times Dispatch article, the University of Richmond's Robins School of Business has the top international business program in the country, according to the financial magazine Bloomberg Businessweek.
The magazine said Robins got the top spot in the international program because "of a concentration that includes seven required courses; an international cultural experience involving at least a semester of study outside the U.S., along with proficiency in a second language; and a full-time international internship."
To read the full article, please click here.
The magazine said Robins got the top spot in the international program because "of a concentration that includes seven required courses; an international cultural experience involving at least a semester of study outside the U.S., along with proficiency in a second language; and a full-time international internship."
To read the full article, please click here.
Altria Workers Expand Cleanup Effort to Richmond's Arts District
Altria workers are taking part in another event Friday to help clean up parts of the city.
The employees, who are picking up trash and planting flowers on Broad St. from 6th Street to Belvidere, are working to ensure the corridor is welcoming to visitors and residents.
Officials say the area is a crucial gateway to Richmond's Arts District, which includes CenterStage, The National, Shockoe Bottom, art galleries and restaurants.
Additionally, Altria employees will paint four new murals designed by local artists. They will also paint Richmond-inspired visuals on traffic utility boxes.
The event is part of Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup program, which has been supported by Philip Morris for over 60 years.
The Great American Cleanup is the nation's largest community improvement program and takes place annually from March 1 through May 31. The event has more than three million volunteers across the country.
Click here to view the CBS 6 News video.
The employees, who are picking up trash and planting flowers on Broad St. from 6th Street to Belvidere, are working to ensure the corridor is welcoming to visitors and residents.
Officials say the area is a crucial gateway to Richmond's Arts District, which includes CenterStage, The National, Shockoe Bottom, art galleries and restaurants.
Additionally, Altria employees will paint four new murals designed by local artists. They will also paint Richmond-inspired visuals on traffic utility boxes.
The event is part of Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup program, which has been supported by Philip Morris for over 60 years.
The Great American Cleanup is the nation's largest community improvement program and takes place annually from March 1 through May 31. The event has more than three million volunteers across the country.
Click here to view the CBS 6 News video.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Steven Spielberg to film Lincoln in Richmond and Petersburg
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell announced on May 4 that Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg will shoot his highly anticipated major feature film Lincoln in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The film is based on the book "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin and will be shot in the Richmond and Petersburg areas. Filming will begin in the Fall and the movie is slated for release in 2012.
The film will star Academy Award-winning actors Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot, There Will be Blood) as Abraham Lincoln and Sally Field (Norma Rae, Places in the Heart) as Mary Todd Lincoln. The screenplay was written by Tony Kushner who last worked with Spielberg on the feature film Munich. The film will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg for DreamWorks Studios.
"We are honored that Steven Spielberg, an award winning and visionary film maker, has chosen the Commonwealth for this important film. It is especially notable coming during the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and emancipation," said Governor Bob McDonnell. "Steven is an exceptional storyteller who brings historic themes to life on screen, resulting in such important and influential films as Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, Munich and the mini-series Band of Brothers. I have no doubt that Lincoln will quickly join the ranks of those famous works."
Steven Spielberg noted, "Virginia's rich historic legacy, coupled with the remarkable period architecture found in Richmond and Petersburg, make Central Virginia the ideal location for this production."
Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng remarked, "It would not have been possible for Virginia to attract such a prestigious film to the Commonwealth without the work of the Virginia Film Office, support of the General Assembly, and the cities of Richmond and Petersburg."
Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones commented, "Richmond played a central role in the Civil War, and we are honored that our city will be featured in a film about this important time in American history. We welcome this extraordinary opportunity to be part of this film."
The Virginia Film Office worked with the cities of Richmond and Petersburg to secure this project. The incentive package includes $1 million from the Governor's Motion Picture Opportunity Fund, $2.5 million from the Virginia Motion Picture Tax Credit program and $1.1 million in in-kind contributions. The amount of funding awarded to a project is based on Virginia workers hired and the purchase of Virginia based goods and services.
The direct and indirect impact of Virginia's motion picture and video production industry in 2009 was $346 million, representing 2,700 jobs for the state.
# # #
The film will star Academy Award-winning actors Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot, There Will be Blood) as Abraham Lincoln and Sally Field (Norma Rae, Places in the Heart) as Mary Todd Lincoln. The screenplay was written by Tony Kushner who last worked with Spielberg on the feature film Munich. The film will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg for DreamWorks Studios.
"We are honored that Steven Spielberg, an award winning and visionary film maker, has chosen the Commonwealth for this important film. It is especially notable coming during the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and emancipation," said Governor Bob McDonnell. "Steven is an exceptional storyteller who brings historic themes to life on screen, resulting in such important and influential films as Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, Munich and the mini-series Band of Brothers. I have no doubt that Lincoln will quickly join the ranks of those famous works."
Steven Spielberg noted, "Virginia's rich historic legacy, coupled with the remarkable period architecture found in Richmond and Petersburg, make Central Virginia the ideal location for this production."
Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng remarked, "It would not have been possible for Virginia to attract such a prestigious film to the Commonwealth without the work of the Virginia Film Office, support of the General Assembly, and the cities of Richmond and Petersburg."
Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones commented, "Richmond played a central role in the Civil War, and we are honored that our city will be featured in a film about this important time in American history. We welcome this extraordinary opportunity to be part of this film."
The Virginia Film Office worked with the cities of Richmond and Petersburg to secure this project. The incentive package includes $1 million from the Governor's Motion Picture Opportunity Fund, $2.5 million from the Virginia Motion Picture Tax Credit program and $1.1 million in in-kind contributions. The amount of funding awarded to a project is based on Virginia workers hired and the purchase of Virginia based goods and services.
The direct and indirect impact of Virginia's motion picture and video production industry in 2009 was $346 million, representing 2,700 jobs for the state.
# # #
German Solar Company Locates U.S. Operations in Richmond
The Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. and the City of Richmond are pleased to announce abalus solar USA's decision to locate in Richmond to distribute solar panels and components. abakus solar has already hired four employees and has aggressive plans to grow the distribution range along the East Coast over the next few years.
abakus solar USA is a subsidiary of abakus solar AG, located in Germany.Founded in 1995, abakus solar AG engineers and operates photovoltaic turnkey plants renowned internationally with locations in Germany, Italy, Greece, Taiwan and now the U.S. The company has special competence in high-quality BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic), tailor made according to the requirements of customers and architects.
James Huff, CEO of abakus solar USA, said "With the emphasis on the need for alternative energy, now is the perfect time for abakus solar to expand in the U.S." The company imports modules to Richmond and plans to create a network of contractors for solar panel installation. Customers will be able to stop by the storefront facility, simplifying both the purchase of materials and installation process. Huff sees ample opportunities to work with existing solar businesses in the region and geographically grow distribution in increments.
On selecting Greater Richmond for its location, Huff explained: "Access to the Port and being at the crossroads of I-95 and I-64 were critical for our decision to locate in Richmond. If accessibility is what you need, why locate anywhere else?" He added, "The Greater Richmond Partnership and the City of Richmond were a tremendous help to abakus solar in making our business decision on where to locate and then supporting us as we established our facility."
Mayor Dwight C. Jones said, "abakus solar AG has chosen the right city for its first USA location! The decision by this German company reaffirms Richmond's most recent accolade as the Best Small American City of the Future by Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) Magazine. Having recently launched our own sustainability planning process, we are extremely pleased to welcome and support businesses at the cutting edge of alternative energy solutions. We welcome abakus solar USA to our city."
Gregory H Wingfield, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc., said "We are pleased to welcome another German company to the Greater Richmond community and one that is focused on the growing alternative energy market. It was a pleasure working closely with abakus solar and it's rewarding to know that our services were valued. We are very excited about their growth plans."
abakus solar USA was provided site-selection and relocation assistance by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Inc., the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. and the City of Richmond.
###
Media Contacts:
Greg Wingfield, President/CEO, Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.
(804) 643-3227
ghw@grpva.com
James Huff, CEO, abakus solar USA
804-980-1351
huff@abakus-solar.com
www.abakus-solar.com
abakus solar USA is a subsidiary of abakus solar AG, located in Germany.Founded in 1995, abakus solar AG engineers and operates photovoltaic turnkey plants renowned internationally with locations in Germany, Italy, Greece, Taiwan and now the U.S. The company has special competence in high-quality BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic), tailor made according to the requirements of customers and architects.
James Huff, CEO of abakus solar USA, said "With the emphasis on the need for alternative energy, now is the perfect time for abakus solar to expand in the U.S." The company imports modules to Richmond and plans to create a network of contractors for solar panel installation. Customers will be able to stop by the storefront facility, simplifying both the purchase of materials and installation process. Huff sees ample opportunities to work with existing solar businesses in the region and geographically grow distribution in increments.
On selecting Greater Richmond for its location, Huff explained: "Access to the Port and being at the crossroads of I-95 and I-64 were critical for our decision to locate in Richmond. If accessibility is what you need, why locate anywhere else?" He added, "The Greater Richmond Partnership and the City of Richmond were a tremendous help to abakus solar in making our business decision on where to locate and then supporting us as we established our facility."
Mayor Dwight C. Jones said, "abakus solar AG has chosen the right city for its first USA location! The decision by this German company reaffirms Richmond's most recent accolade as the Best Small American City of the Future by Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) Magazine. Having recently launched our own sustainability planning process, we are extremely pleased to welcome and support businesses at the cutting edge of alternative energy solutions. We welcome abakus solar USA to our city."
Gregory H Wingfield, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc., said "We are pleased to welcome another German company to the Greater Richmond community and one that is focused on the growing alternative energy market. It was a pleasure working closely with abakus solar and it's rewarding to know that our services were valued. We are very excited about their growth plans."
abakus solar USA was provided site-selection and relocation assistance by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Inc., the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. and the City of Richmond.
###
Media Contacts:
Greg Wingfield, President/CEO, Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.
(804) 643-3227
ghw@grpva.com
James Huff, CEO, abakus solar USA
804-980-1351
huff@abakus-solar.com
www.abakus-solar.com
Monday, May 2, 2011
ECD Welcomes New Director, Lee Downey
The City of Richmond Department of Economic & Community Development welcomes Lee Downey as the new director. Click here to read the full release regarding the Mayor's announcement of Mr. Downey's appointment and here for additional information in the April ECD E-News. Welcome Lee!
City of Richmond Kicks Off Strategic Multimodal Transportation Planning
The City of Richmond is kicking off the development of the Richmond Strategic Multimodal Transportation Plan, known as Richmond Connects, with two events in early May. The first event is on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at the Byrd Theatre from 5:30 - 8:30 PM. The second event is at Carillon in Byrd Park on Tuesday, May 17, from 5-8 PM. For more information, please click here or contact Phil Kempf at (804) 287-3164 or pkempf@mbakercorp.com.
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