Virginia Business - February 2005

February 2005 issueCOVER STORY
Fare play
Airports without discount airlines seek a competitive advantage

Independence Air has trouble gaining altitude
The bid to transform Atlantic Coast Airlines into the next Southwest Airlines or Jet Blue has hit major turbulence

NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL REPORT
Crystal City gets a makeover
Arlington's proximity to nation's capital draws development

Customer service drives loyalty at longtime hardware store

Federal spending spurs Northern Virginia's booming economy

BANKING
Riggs' problems could jeopardize PNC deal

New Fed bank president plans to do street-level research

BUSINESS LAW
By the book
Virginia companies feel the squeeze of Sarbanes-Oxley.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Putting stock in expensive education
Parents say benefits worth the cost

Private schools directory
Institutions with high schools throughout the state

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
University research identified as economic catalyst

Virginia research directory
A brief listing of some of the research going on at Virginia's universities

Virginia Stat

$43,417
The average annual salary of a Virginia public-school teacher during the 2003-2004 year. With that average, Virginia ranked 21st among the 50 states, well below top-ranked California where the average pay was $58,287

Source: National Education Association

DEPARTMENTS
Editor's Corner
- Hunting for low fares and sensible rules

Ideas
- The state of Virginia's M&A market

Around the Old Dominion
- A 'win-win deal' for rural health care
- Liberty Tax passes a milestone
- Company continues inaugural plate parade
- Keeping the Virginia Horse Center in oats and hay
- America Online agrees to settle fraud charges
- Nextel and Sprint announce telecom merger

In the workplace
- Trends: Easing into retirment
- On the regulatory front
- Commentary: New skills credential can help employers find the workers they need
- Backup child care keeps employees at work

For the Record
Mergers & acqusitions Cutbacks, closings Stocks, financing
Deals Products, services Legal, regulatory
New plants Divestitures Noteworthy
People Expansions  
Contracts Real estate