text: BACKUP POWER. The State Corporation Commission staff has endorsed an experiment by Virginia Power Co. to use backup generators at customers' homes to reduce the power demand at peak use hours. Virginia Power sought permission last fall to offer a special deal to private customers who have generators. The utility would maintain, operate and fuel the generators in exchange for controlling when they run. The 10-year pilot program would be available to as many as 20 customers.
  OUTLET MERGER. McLean-based McArthur-Glen Realty Corp., owner of the Berkeley Commons Outlet Center near Williamsburg, will merge with Horizon Outlet Centers Inc. of Michigan. The deal, to be completed in a $300 million stock swap, will create the country's largest owner and developer of factory-outlet centers. The new company, HGI Realty Inc., will operate 32 properties with 6.4 million square feet of leasable space. It will be headquartered in Muskegon, Mich. The McLean office will remain open, but officials would not say if the 200 employees would be retained.
  nVIEW AND O.J. nVIEW Corp. has donated some of its technology to the defense and the prosecution in the O.J. Simpson trial. The Newport News-based company donated a $13,995 liquid crystal display projection panel and a $8,995 projector to train the defense team on presenting computerized evidence rather than passing around photos of evidence. The nVIEW equipment is not being used in the courtroom. nVIEW spokeswoman Krista Lowery said the defense contacted the company. ``We said, `Yes, let us ship you one immediately.''' The move soon sparked a sale - to the prosecution.
  DIVIDEND NEWS. United Dominion Realty Trust increased its quarterly dividend 15 percent to 22.5 cents per common share, payable April 28. ... Circuit City declared a quarterly dividend of 2.5 cents per share, payable April 14.
  BIZ BITES. In a move that will save $1 million a year, NationsBank has received regulatory permission to merge its Virginia bank with the one that serves Maryland and the District of Columbia. ... The Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth will open an expanded occupational health care facility - part of a $2.6 million renovation - on March 20.