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ECONOMY
Washington Kept Booming in 2004
The Washington metro area continued its boom last year, according to the latest annual report from the Greater Washington Initiative.
Citing government statistics, the report says the Washington area led the nation in 2004 with 77,000 new jobs, more than twice the number of runner-up Atlanta. Its economy, with a $313 billion gross product, ranked fourth in the nation. Housing prices, with a median of $351,000, were the nation's fifth-highest.
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
Danaher Expanding Medical Unit
District-based Danaher has agreed to buy dental-equipment maker Pelton & Crane for about $85 million to expand its medical unit's product lines.
Danaher, perhaps best known for making Craftsman tools, is focusing more on products that sell consistently despite economic swings. Pelton & Crane had 2004 sales of about $80 million, Danaher said. The purchase is expected to close next quarter and add slightly to 2005 profit, Danaher said.
Contracts
EDS Wins 3 Federal IT Contracts
Electronic Data Systems said it received three federal information technology contracts worth up to $102 million with option years.
A Defense Department contract worth up to $61 million will have Herndon-based EDS supporting a call center for the Defense Manpower Data Center, which handles the Pentagon's largest archive of personnel, training and financial data, and supporting and implementing high-tech security measures.
Under a contract with the Federal Aviation Administration worth up to $36 million, EDS will support a flight information network that includes such data as weather information, flight plans and "notice to airmen" alerts.
The Army awarded EDS a contract worth up to $5.2 million to support the IT services desk and provide network and security services in Heidelberg, Germany, for Army Headquarters Installation Management Agency Europe.
Compiled from staff and news service reports.
