Richmond Times-Dispatch from Richmond, Virginia • B3

DOWMDUSTHALS tmSH 7044 06SK SAP MO 1T78.D 8jB7 0J4X USSEILMOO KHflT-NOTI 3.87 0D4 GUIDE OIL 84.87 111 133 2402.58 4.62 0J9X 5.34 0J9K Monday in Metro Business: Emphasis on electronic health records has skyrocketed FRIDAY April 2, 2010 TlmesDtepatcFLCom T1mesDispatcti.com Keyword: Richmond Times-Dispatch Business Editor: John Hoke (804)649-6344 jhoketimesdispatch.com Top local gainer Star Scientific Biggest local decliner Union First Nark Top SAP gainer Leg? Mason 6.94 Biggest decliner AmazOfLCOfll -189 Economist; Confidence counts HCHMND MDEX 34183 3J9 112 lar interest in a global index of industrial production, he told the Richmond Associa- DuPont's Fry says economy is improving, and optimism can help fuel the recovery BY DAVID RESS Times-Dispatch Staff Writer What you see depends on where you sit, and from his perch as senior economist for DuPont Robert Fry sees a V. Working for an industrial giant that operates all over the world, Fry takes particu dip recession. But perceptions matter, Fry said. He's hoping retail sales data coming in the weeks ahead will convince most Americans the economy is growing. The comparison ought to look good, since last spring was so dismal.

Optimism about the economy matters, and Fry has another favorite series of Economic development Governor aims to complete plan by next legislative session. Pap H. data that show why. Corporate purchasing managers are reporting lengthening delivery delays when they order goods for their companies, an obscure index from the Institute for Supply Management shows. "We're not seeing such strong demand that there should be supply Fry said.

"What's happening is that as orders rise, people still aren't hiring. They're going to keep holding off until they're really confident that the recession is over." Contact David Ress at (804) 648-6061 or dress ti mesdtepatch.com. That index hit bottom and started bouncing back sharply last June it traces a shape on a chart, and is why Fry shares with most economists a view the economy is recovering. Unlike some, he's pretty sure many of the other measures that track economic activity will soon be tracing Vs of then-own as opposed to the shape of a slow recovery or the that a few economists predict when they warn of a double- Robert Fry hopes sales data will convince people the economy is growing. Kings Dominion's new attraction Speakers weigh energy future Conference at UR Law-School looks at ways to meet growing demand BY PETER BACQUE Times-Dispatch Staff Writer Coal, nuclear, renewables? What's America's energy future going to be? Each has some advantage, and each has drawbacks, according to speakers yesterday at a University of Richmond Law School conference, Vision 2020: A View of Our Energy Future.

Nuclear is reliable and doesn't emit carbon dioxide, but it's expensive and has waste-disposal problems. Coal is abundant in the U.S., but it produces carbon dioxide. Wind and solar are clean, but the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow. And energy demand is growing. Meanwhile, the world is shifting under the feet of the energy industry.

Climate conditions, new technologies, government policies and world markets are in flux. "We can't wait for 100 percent certainty" before deciding what to do, said Mark E. Rosen, deputy general counsel of CNA a See ENERGY, Page B5 UNDY KEAST RODMANTIMES-DGPATCH Kings Dominion's $25 million Intlmldator 305 offers a 300-foot, 85-degree drop at the beginning, followed by a series of dizzying spirals and hairpin turns at 94 mph. Roller coaster draws raves kiM PillllllllllllllllllllllllllllH To get a feel of the experience through the eyes of some "early adopters," go to Than i (keyword: video). Recycler building a Richmond plant A Richmond-based recycling company is breaking ground today on a new plant in South Richmond that will convert construction debris into biomass products for fuel.

Janls Blggerstaff of Richmond (left) and Darrln Bagunler of Maryland waited to ride the Intlmldator 305 yesterday during the Hanover County theme park's sneak peek. Theme park hopes for lucrative lift from a ride with a big drop BY WESLEY P. HESTER Times-Dispatch Staff Writer Df Kings Dominion's new In-timidator 305 doesn't earn its name from the hype, it will when you see it. The ride's main attraction is the 300-foot, 85-degree drop at the start. Mercifully, the ascent is swift and without pause at BREAKING the peak, so there's NEWS no time to process vwidm what's happening.

TkiMOiviidLoani After that, it smooth, and fast, sailing 94 mph, to be exact through a series of dizzying spirals and hairpin turns. Nine-year-old coaster enthusiast Josh RachHn was aboard the inaugural ride yesterday at the Hanover County theme park's sneak peek, and not disappointed with his 2-minute, 40-second adventure. "Oh my God, that's the best coaster I've ever ridden!" he said. Stacey Daniel of Orange County called the ride "breath- Smart phone users can watch the video by downloading a free app at btxjEfrttaiJMM and then using the app to scan the icon. For help, go to TlimDbpsteiLOoa, keyword: tags (Note: Your wireless service provider may charge you for data services or text messages received as a result of this service.) Cephas Industries is building the tit Intlmldator 305 Roller coaster fans lined up to $6 million plant, which will be financed by $3.5 mil- lwy, lion in facility park's landmark Eiffel Tower.

"You get off and your equilibrium is off," said Alisa L. Bailey, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corp. "I love roller coasters, but I've got to tell you, that was the scariest one I've ever been on." The $25 milUon ride is the largest capital investment in Kings Dominion's 35-year history. The NASCAR-themed ride, named after legendary driver Dale Earnhardt who died in 2001, was built in partnership with Dale Earnhardt Inc. and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation.

ride Kings Dominion's newest, blled as the tallest and fastest on the East Coast. Times Dispatch.com, keyword: video taking. I think I was crying," she said with a laugh. The red and yellow monster is the "tallest and fastest roller coaster of its type on the East Coast," said the park's general manager, Pat Jones. Intimidator 305 stands 305 feet at its highest peak, close to the height of the "I know Dad would love this," said Taylor Earnhardt, Dale's daughter, who joined the 200 or so in attendance yesterday.

"It's fast. It's intimidating. It's just like he was." But Lt. Gov. Bill Boiling, another of the many dignitaries and officials on hand, refused to ride See COASTER, Page B5 through the federal government's economic stimulus package.

"We are excited about what we are going to be able to do for the environment and also for the economy," said Morris Cephas, the president and founder of Cephas Industries. The new plant on Formex Road will be its first biomass manufacturing plant. It will employ about 50 to 75 people when it opens later this year, he said. About 100 people will be employed during construction. "Instead of having that material go into a landfill, they can bring it to our plant and we will process it into a fuel product," Cephas said.

Deals lure car buyers, lift U.S. March sales GM and other automakers matched the deals, boosting the industry's sales by 24 percent compared with the same month a year earlier, according to figures month, including low-interest financing and free maintenance for returning customers. The deals worked so well that Toyota's U.S. sales BREAKING jtunPed 41 percent unw and the automaker sold just 1,683 fewer TirnaOiipitetuxxTi cars than General Motors the closest it has ever come to overtaking GM in monthly sales, according to auto research site Edmunds.com. The Associated Press DETROIT It's a buyer's market for car shoppers, with good deals expected to last at least another month as automakers continue to match Toyota discounts that lured thousands of buyers in March.

Seeking to repair the damage from a series of safety recalls, Toyota Motor Corp. offered unprecedented incentives last released yesterday and compiled by AutoData Corp. In Virginia, vehicle sales rose 26 percent when compared with March of last year. Particularly strong were domestic cars, which saw a 40 percent spike when compared with year-ago sales. Overall, it was the fifth straight months of gains for auto dealers in the state.

See DEALS, Page B5 Market holiday U.S. stock and commodities markets are closed today for Good Friday. There will be currency trading and abbreviated trading in the Treasury market Financial markets in many other countries will also close. New rules, new stores Obama announces new rules for gas mileage. Phi At CarMax to open three new stores.

Pip B5..