The Retail EmployerNovember 2008

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Local Issues

Three Downtown Office Buildings Sold

The State bought 400 E. Cary Street (formerly United Dominion Realty Trust) for 6.5 million that will house health department clinics for both the state and city in the 51,000 s.f. space.

VCU Heath Systems bought One Capitol Square for 8.95 million to relocate employees from other properties around downtown into the 188,000 s.f. space.

The State bought Main Street Centre (600 E. Main Street) to expand the existing VA Department of Taxation and relocate other state agencies over time.

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State Issues

Virginia State Crime Commission's Staff report

The Crime Commission’s Staff made a report to the State Crime Commission on October 14th; at that meeting the Staff addressed the possibility of increasing the Grand Larceny threshold.  The threshold is currently $200 and has not been changed in over twenty years. Below is the proposed legislative proposal; click here for the staff’s complete power point presentation outlining its recommendations.

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Definition of Antiques (update)

Throughout the summer the Retail Merchants Association and the Retail Alliance of Hampton Roads under the banner of the Virginia Retail Federation hosted a series of meetings with Antique Dealers from around the Commonwealth to discuss what the proper definition of antiques should be and is a definition needed. 

The purpose for defining “antiques” was to prevent the sale of counterfeit antiques.  After lengthy discussions it was determined that defining antiques would not prevent the rogue antique dealer from misrepresenting counterfeit items as antiques.  A follow-up recommendation was to develop a peer to peer certification program.  This certification program would establish criteria of best practices for Antique Dealers to operate.  The certification program would be governed by a Board of Directors and those antique dealers who qualify for certification.  Those Antique Dealers who became certified would be provided the distinction and the opportunity to advertise as a Certified Antique Dealer.  The Retail Merchants Association and the Retail Alliance of Hampton Roads are continuing to work with antique dealers to developing the criteria for the certification.Back to top


Plastic Bag Ban (update)

During the 2008 session legislation was introduced to ban plastic bags. The Virginia Retail Federation and the Virginia Petroleum Convenience and Grocery Association (VPCGA) advocated for a statewide study of the issue and the environmental impact of plastic bag litter. The Virginia Plastic Bag Coalition was formed to include stakeholders from the retail industry, waste haulers, and agricultural and environmental interests to examine the issue for the Isle of Wight County.

In conducting its study, the coalition developed a regional volunteer work plan that includes education, creates awareness and offer solutions for plastic bag recycling that can change and modify behavior to result in positive changes in the issue. Included are communication components for plastic bag recycling in Isle of Wight County; application for a state grant to provide enhanced recycling education and legislative initiatives.

Rather than ban plastic bags the coalition recommended the state adopt initiatives that will encourage public education of plastic bag use/abuse, that will increase the development and utilization of plastic bag alternatives and that will increase recycling.  Additionally, the group recommends that all efforts be evaluated against a measurement of volume of plastic bags recycled, increase or decrease in the number of plastic bags purchased by retailers and a routine survey of farmers about the increase/decrease in the amount of plastic bags found in agriculture.

(Excerpts taken from the Virginia Plastic Bag Coalition Action Plan, for the complete report, click here.)

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Federal Issues*

* © 2008. NRF Enterprises, Inc. used with permission.

NRF Seeks Consumer Relief in Stimulus Package

Retailers are among the groups focused on a federal stimulus package Congress could consider after the Nov. 4 elections. The NRF wants the package to include tax relief for consumers. "Increased consumer spending would create demand throughout all sectors of the nation's economy, from manufacturing to transportation to construction," NRF President Tracy Mullin said. American City Business Journals/Milwaukee (10/24)

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Obama Could Start Work on Economy Before Inauguration

President-elect Barack Obama might not wait until his inauguration to start working on an overhaul of the economy. "The changes will be far greater than many expect. From taxes to energy to health care, it's a pretty sweeping agenda," said Andrew Laperriere, managing director at International Strategy & Investment Group. Congress is expected to take up a second economic-stimulus package when it convenes for a lame-duck session in two weeks. Bloomberg (11/5)

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Congressional Election Update

U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake conceded the election in Virginia's 2nd congressional district to political newcomer Glenn Nye. The final outcome was in abeyance until some 27,000 absentee ballots were counted - an unusually high number due to the large military presence in the district. "Those ballots have been counted and the voters have decided," Drake said, congratulating Nye, 33, a Democrat and former diplomat from Norfolk.

The unofficial final vote count is:

For more information, go to:
http://hamptonroads.com/node/487154

Election results in Southside Virginia's 5th congressional district are probably headed for a recount. Democrat Tom Perriello, a lawyer, appears to have a 745-vote margin over long-time incumbent Republican Virgil Goode, but Goode has not conceded the race. Perriello announced victory at a news conference this afternoon, but Goode claims "reporting irregularities - including misplaced paper ballots...and miscalculations in vote tallies." Goode said he would wait until the state Board of Elections certifies the vote on Nov. 24 before deciding whether to ask for a recount.

Initial returns showed Perriello with a margin of just 31 votes with more than 300,000 votes cast. After canvassing the vote, the tally as of late this afternoon is:

For more information, click here.

The State Board of Elections is updating election returns on the Web
here.

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Links

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Events & More

November Events
  • 13 Powhatan Chapter Connect@CVB
  • 14  Valor Awards
  • 18   Amelia Chapter Connect@Simply Divine
  • 19  Fredericksburg Chapter Meeting
  • 20  Goochland Chapter Meeting
  • 21  Powhatan Free Seminar for Small Business
  • 21 Smart Marketing Dialogue Lunch (last one!)
  • 25  SLPA  “Holiday Safety & Security for Your Business”

Central Virginia Employment Outlook for Marketing Students with a 2-Year Degree

What types of job opportunities are available for marketing students with a 2-year degree? To find out, a local community college has joined forces with the Richmond Chapter of the American Marketing Association and Your Market Research to survey marketing professionals in and around Central Virginia. Your confidential responses to a short 8-question survey about your organization’s marketing opportunities and hiring practices and preferences will help shape the future of marketing education in Central Virginia.

If you are involved with hiring marketing positions for your organization, please follow the link to the survey. If not, please forward this link to another appropriate representative within your organization and encourage them to take the survey. This link may also be forwarded to your friends and colleagues within the marketing community—and, in fact, we ask you to please share it so we may ensure as broad a response as possible. The survey will be open through November 15, 2008.

Thank you for your interest in strengthening the value of marketing education and, ultimately, improving the Central Virginia marketing community.


Special Request for "What’s Free in Virginia"

VTC’s PR agency in the UK is planning a news release on “What’s Free in Virginia,” which they believe will be of interest to international media given the recent changes in the world economy. If you have attractions or activities that are free to the public, please send the details to Eugene Roberts at eugene.roberts@kbc-pr.com and copy Julia Scott JScott@virginia.org.

Please restrict these submissions to major attractions or events….they cannot use restaurants that offer free desert, “buy-one-get-one free” meals or admission tickets, or “free garden tour with purchase of admission ticket,” etc. Julia Scott, Promotions Manager, Virginia Tourism Corporation   804.545.5575


Powhatan Chamber Luncheon

November Luncheon, Wednesday, Nov. 19, County Seat Restaurant, Powhatan.  Networking begins at 11:30. For more information, contact Tina Bustos, 804-598-2636, info@powhatanchamber.com.


Powhatan Free Seminar:  Small Business Report Card:  Is Your Business Making the Grade?

Friday, November 21
This is a change. The original date was November 12th.
8:30–10:30 am—County Seat Restaurant

Speaker:  Sheri McGuire of Longwood University Small Business Development Center

Cost: FREE. To register, please call 598-5605.
Beverages will be provided. A breakfast buffet will be available before the seminar at a cost of $5.95.


Please Comment on the Richmond Folk Festival

Venture Richmond and the Richmond Folk Festival would like to get your comments on this survey.

Lisa Sims, Director of Events
Venture Richmond and Richmond Folk Festival
www.venturerichmond.com
www.richmondfolkfestival.com


Midas of Richmond Blood Drive

November 22, 8am-4pm

Someone’s life depends on YOU.  Donate a pint and receive a free oil change!

  • 11463 W. Broad St
  • 10160 Hull Street Rd.
  • 1400 Boulevard – Colonial Heights
  • 5527 Mechanicsville Tnpk

IRS e-News for Small Businesses: Time Saver for Small Businesses & Self-Employed 

IRS e-News for Small Businesses offers small businesses and the self-employed a real time-saver. e-News is a bi-weekly newsletter that alerts you to what’s new, hot and important for small business owners to know. It’s quick to read, easy to subscribe – and it’s free.

e-News for Small Businesses offers specialized content consisting of: 

  • Important upcoming tax dates for small businesses & the self-employed
  • What’s new for small businesses and self-employed on IRS.gov
  • Reminders and tips to assist small businesses with tax compliance
  • IRS news releases and special IRS announcements
  • Direct links to a variety of Web sites and resources
  • Availability of IRS products, services, and training opportunities

Business people and the self-employed may also want to take a look at other IRS e-newsletters:

  • IRS Tax Tips—tax information via e-mail from the IRS daily during the tax-filing season and periodically the rest of the year.

You can subscribe to e-News for Small Businesses at IRS.gov or other IRS e-newsletters by clicking on the newsletter title, clicking “Subscribe Now” and entering your e-mail address.

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