Business Digest

Local firm featured in federal video

Annapolis - PharmAthene Inc. is featured in a 30-minute documentary on the Homeland Security Television Channel online.

President and Chief Executive Officer David P. Wright and Dr. Valerie Riddle, vice president and medical director, were tapped for the training video "Deadly Pathogen: Exploring the Anthrax Threat."

It was distributed to 65,000 members of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to a release.

The video provides an analysis of the bacteria that causes anthrax, and details what it does to the body and why it remains an imminent threat to national security.

The Annapolis-based biodefense firm is developing a second-generation anthrax vaccine called SparVax.

To view the video, visit www.hstvchannel.com/ThreatMatrix/Deadly_Pathogen_Anthrax.html.

County minority firms make top 100

Five firms in the county have been named to the state's "Top 100" list of minority businesses.

An awards ceremony honoring firms in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Delaware is set for Nov. 15.

The following local business owners will be honored:

Deborah Zagami, Associated Building Maintenance Co. Inc.; Catherine Cherry, Purple Cherry Architects; Jo Ellen Soesbee, Reliable Repairs; Sarian Bouma, BWI Florist; and Surina Ann Jordan, Zima Health.

The awards are offered by the state Office of Minority Affairs, University of Maryland University College, Southwest Airlines and the Parren J. Mitchell Foundation.

Businesses to hold George fundraiser

Annapolis - Local business leaders said they plan to honor state Del. Ron George, R-Arnold, at a fundraiser this week for his work in helping small businesses.

According to a release, George has co-sponsored tax credits that incentivize business, namely as a leader in repealing the tech-services tax and for sponsoring the seller's-privilege amendment designed to help local businesses compete with Delaware and the Internet.

The group also said he was the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Legislator of the Year and received a perfect score from Maryland Business for Responsible Government.

Special guest will be Aris Melissaratos, a Democrat who is currently the senior adviser to the president for enterprise development at Johns Hopkins University, and formerly Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s secretary of the state Department of Business and Economic Development.

The event is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at The Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West St.

Cost is $125 per person, $225 per couple. Checks can be made payable to Committee To Elect Ron George.

For more information, call 410-353-2380.

- From staff reports