Chesterfield Company Selected for VALET Program

Sealeze Selected to Participate in Virginia’s VALET Program

Two-year program provides resources to support international business

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) has announced the acceptance of a Chesterfield company, Sealeze, into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

Sealeze joins the program as part of the 17th class of VALET companies. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. Currently, more than 100 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.

Sealeze is the industry leader in providing brush-based solutions for industrial, military and aerospace applications. The company’s brush products provide a simple, cost-effective way to flexibly seal, shield, protect, close gaps, guide, position, dissipate static, clean and address many other applications. Sealeze weather seals close gaps around all types of doors, significantly reducing building energy costs and they provide an effective barrier to pests like rodents, birds and insects without impairing door movement. Custom-forming capabilities enable shapes and designs that best meet application needs. Sealeze is known for its ability to turn-around engineered solutions about twice as fast as the industry average. Sealeze’s high customer satisfaction is supported by their ISO9001:2000, Kaizen, and Lean TPM programs.

Read more on the VEDP web site >>>

Call for Nominations - 2010 Chesterfield County First Choice Business Awards

Each year Chesterfield County Virginia honors local companies that contribute to the county’s economy and its citizens. The intent is to give recognition to businesses that consistently contribute to the community by giving back to the citizens of Chesterfield through community service, create and deliver products or services to its customers which are innovative, is a leader in valuing its employees, and upholds the principles and standards of ethical business practices.

Do you know a deserving Chesterfield County company? Then nominate them for a 2010 First Choice Business Award!

Nominate a Company >>>

SportsQuest Gets $15 million More in Federal Stimulus Bonds

The Richmond-Times Dispatch has posted an article about the SportsQuest project in Chesterfield. Times-Dispatch writer Wesley P. Hester reports on the additional funds now available to the project.

SportsQuest -- the 250-acre, $250 million sports mega-complex slated for groundbreaking in weeks in Chesterfield County -- has gotten another significant financial boost courtesy of federal stimulus funds.

The county today announced plans to allocate an additional $15 million in recovery-zone bonds to the project through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

SportsQuest received its first $15 million allocation in December as the only private economic development project in the county that qualified.

Earlier this month, unused bonds from across the state went into a pool. Then-Gov. Timothy M. Kaine last week allocated the additional money to Chesterfield for SportsQuest.

Read the entire article online at the Richmond Times-Dispatch web site >>>

Precision Recycling Sees Green in Glass

The Richmond-Times Dispatch has posted an article in the Business section about Precision Recycling Industries of Virginia. Times-Dispatch writer John Reid Blackwell reports on the interesting work happening at The Sustainability Park in eastern Chesterfield County .

Bill Richardson doesn't think of himself as an environmentalist so much as a "green entrepreneur."

"I like taking something that is thrown away and making it into a useful product, especially a product that replaces hazardous materials," he said.

Richardson's green venture is all about glass, as illustrated by the 25 tons of shattered glass piled at the bay doors of his company's plant in Chesterfield County. The broken bits of green, amber and clear glass are what is called "post-consumer" waste, including jars and the remnants of countless castaway beer bottles.

"What we are doing is taking glass that would go into landfills, diverting it from landfills and making 100 percent green products," he said.

...

Read the entire article on the Times-Dispatch web site >>>

Bon Secours to Build a $30 million Ambulatory Care Campus in Chesterfield County, Virginia

A new $30 million Bon Secours ambulatory care campus will bring an influx of capital investment and 100 new jobs to northwest Chesterfield County in addition to increased availability of ambulatory services for the county’s fast growing population.

The new campus of Bon Secours will be located at Watkins Centre, at the corner of Route 288 and Midlothian Turnpike, just 4.5 miles from Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center. Scheduled completion for Phase I of the project is 2011.

>>>Read More on the Chesterfield Business Web Site

Chesterfield.gov and GRPVA.com Redesigned

Chesterfield County government and the Greater Richmond Partnership have both launched redesigned web sites.



Chesterfield County, Virginia is a thriving, affluent, suburban community located in the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area.





The Greater Richmond Partnership is a regional economic development organization which the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and the City of Richmond, Virginia.

Main Street at Westchester Commons Ready for Tenants

The pedestrian-friendly section of Westchester Commons named "Main Street" is now available for leasing. Anchored by Regal Cinemas on one end and Gold's Gym on the other, the Main Street retail space is divided by tree-lined sidewalks and public gathering places. Books-A-Million has already opened it's doors and Noodles & Company is expected to open soon.

Gold’s Gym Opens at Westchester Commons

The Midlothian Exchange has posted an article by Erika Maguire about the grand opening of Gold’s Gym at Westchester Commons on Midlothian Turnpike in the Watkins Center development. Erika writes,

Gold’s Gym, located in Westchester Commons on Midlothian Turnpike, is now taking the movie experience to the next level, substituting reclining chairs with treadmills and ellipticals.

Known as their cardio cinema, Gold’s Gym is now providing their members with full-length movies during their workouts. The movies, which change everyday, are played in a dimly-lit room filled with various cardio equipment for members’ enjoyment. Yet this feature is only one of the unique amenities offered by the gym...

>>> Read the entire story from the Midlothian Exchange here.

New Federal Identity Theft Laws Puts Employers At Risk

Identity Theft Seminar Offered Regarding FACTA and the New “Red Flags Rule”

Identify theft is one of the fastest growing crimes, and it is reported that 1 of every 4 Americans will suffer some form of identify theft.

The US government passed new laws recently that places responsibility squarely on the shoulders of companies to protect their employees’ and their customers’ personal information. Consequently business and/or business owners are liable to ensure that proper steps are taken to protect the identities of their employees and customers.

Starting August 1, 2009, millions of small businesses that extend credit or defer payments for goods and services will be subject to a new set of rules under the Fair and Accurate Transaction Act aimed at helping curb identify theft. The new rules — known as the FACTA Red Flags Rules — are basically federally mandated precautions certain businesses must take to protect customers from identity theft crimes.

Whether it is social security numbers, check information, credit card information, medical data, or the like, if it is mishandled, lost or stolen, it can have a serious impact on the business.

Legions of small businesses that will now be covered — including auto dealers, jewelers, furniture companies, mortgage brokers, doctors, dentists and many others — are still unaware of this looming regulatory issue. Business owners who are aware are most likely confused about what they’ll have to do. And forget about an extension. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the enforcing agency, already stretched the compliance deadline, originally set for last November.

The coming FACTA Red Flags Rules require covered businesses to create a process for detecting so-called “Red Flags” in identity verification, such as:

• Discrepancies in address history
• Fraud alerts on credit reports
• Suspicious use of Social Security numbers
• Inactive accounts that suddenly become active
• Credit-freeze notifications
• Credit reports with suspicious activity patterns
• Notices from identity theft victims or law agencies, among others.

A number of consulting firms offer guidance on how to comply with the new FACTA Red Flags Rule. One such company is The Risk Management Group. Village Bank and The Risk Management Group will be holding an Identity Theft Seminar on June 30, 2009 at the Village Bank Community Room, 15521 Midlothian Turnpike. The Seminar runs from 7:30 – 8:30 AM and is free of charge. For additional information and to register contact Richard Swed at Richard@TheRiskMgmtGroup.com or call 804-840-2918.

TopNotchRichmond.com: One of Chesterfield's Newest Businesses

TopNotchRichmond.com is one of Chesterfield County's newest businesses. The region’s new online referral resource business is locally owned and operated by a recently laid-off worker. By taking control of his career and pursuing his passion, Richmonders now have free access to tried, trusted and tested service companies.

Tom McCormick, owner of TopNotchRichmond.com says, “Consumers are more consciences now than ever of how they spend their hard earned cash and businesses are looking for that extra edge to get the work and stay in business. TopNotchRichmond.com creates a win-win for both.” He added, “Consumers are too often disappointed in the quality of their experience; whether it’s home repair, having a car serviced or hiring a photographer for those long overdue family pictures. Top Notch Richmond does the leg work, helping the consumer make better choices, while generating more referrals for Top Notch area businesses.”

After 20 years in management within a high tech manufacturing environment, McCormick understood the importance of the customer, of quality and of continuous improvement. He also recognized these qualities were too often lacking in the companies providing everyday consumer services, such as home remodeling and repairs, auto service, photographers, etc.

After several months of planning and preparation, McCormick has now launched TopNotchRichmond.com, the online referral resource that promotes only those companies who excel in the area of customer service quality. Top Notch Richmond screens and certifies companies based on specific, measurable quality criteria. Only those that make the cut are listed on TopNotchRichmond.com. Consumers now have a third party advocate while top notch service companies get the recognition and visibility they deserve.