MasterCard Inc., the Purchase-based credit card giant, said that Whataburger, a Texas-based fast food chain, Whataburger, will accept MasterCard PayPass payments at more than 500 locations across the South. PayPass, developed by MasterCard, allows consumers to tap cards or devices on the special readers at checkout to pay for products quickly. There are nearly 61 [...]

Aureon Laboratories Inc., a Yonkers-based laboratory that specializes in cancer treatment, said that Robert Shovlin has been promoted from president to president and chief executive officer. Vijay Aggarwal will step down as CEO, but will remain a member of the company’s board of directors. Shovlin joined the company in June 2005 as vice president of [...]

October 14th will be an important day for Acorda Therapeutics Inc., a Hawthorne-based biotech company. That’s when a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel is scheduled to conduct a critical review of Fampridine-SR, Acorda’s new multiple sclerosis drug that is designed to make walking easier for the disease’s victims. Acorda has been working on the [...]

PepsiAmericas, the second largest bottler of Pepsi beverage products, said that it will invest $150 million to build a bottling plant in Romania. The factory, expected to open on Sept 1, is the latest investment that the Minneapolis-based company has made in the fast growing region of Eastern Europe. In 2007, PepsiAmericas took control of [...]

Broadview Networks, a Rye Brook-based business communications provider, said that Christopher Eldredge is joining the company as executive vice president of alternate channels and carrier sales. Eldredge will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the company’s agent sales channel and wholesale organizations. He previously was vice president of carrier sales and service for Frontier [...]

IBM Corp. said that it is expanding a program that sends employee teams to developing countries to assist local organizations on projects that involve business, social or technology issues. The Armonk-based computer services giant said that the expanded program, known as the Corporate Service Corps, will result in 1,500 employees working in the various countries [...]

Haights Cross Communications Inc., a White Plains-based library and educational publisher, said that it has reached agreement with major lenders on a restructuting of the company’s debt and credit agreement that should improve its financial outlook. The company added that the restructuring is not expected to lead to changes in its Triumph Learning and Recorded [...]

Hudson Barter Exchange, a recent business startup that brings businesses together to make deals without cash, is expanding from its initial service territory of Westchester County into Rockland County. The Elmsford-based company said that it has added over 160 members since it opened nine months ago. Trading volume on the barter site has doubled every [...]

Rick Rakow, founder of Rakow Commercial Realty Group Inc. in White Plains, recently received the “Business Ethics Award” from The White Plains Rotary Club in recognition of his business career and involvement in the community. Rakow, who has worked in the real estate business for 25 years, handles about 100 real estate transactions a year. [...]

D’Arcangelo & Co. LLP, a regional accounting firm, has launched an online blog to keep businesses, organizations and individuals updated with financial news and information. The blog can be found at http://www.darcangelo.com/blog. D’Arcangelo also publishes financial articles in a bimonthly e-newsletter. D’Arcangelo & Co. LLP has five offices in Purchase, Poughkeepsie, Millbrook, Utica, and Rome. [...]

IBM Corp. has signed a contract to provide technology services to W. R. Grace & Co., a specialty chemical and materials company with about 6,000 employees in more than 40 countries. IBM will provide Grace with a technology system that is designed to help the company support customers, integrate acquisitions and open new offices around [...]

WHX Corp., a White Plains maker of industrial products, swung to a net loss of $4.1 million during the second quarter as the company coped with slower sales in a weak global economy. A year earlier, the company had reported net income of $5.3 million. The recession “had a material adverse effect on almost all [...]

The Reader’s Digest Association Inc., the troubled Chappaqua-based magazine publisher that is expected to soon file for bankruptcy reorganization, said that most major creditors and investors are backing the company’s efforts to revamp the company’s finances. Reader’s Digest said today that nearly 80 percent of its senior secured lenders and nearly 70 percent of its [...]

Panera Bread, a national chain of bakery-cafes, expects to open a new store in downtown White Plains on Monday. The store will be next to Wal-Mart at One North Broadway. The menu features a variety of freshly baked bread products, including breakfast bagels, muffins, sandwiches and soups served in Sourdough Bread Bowls.

Empire Physical Therapy recently opened a new location in Hartsdale. The facility at 280 Dobbs Ferry Road, suite 208 and 209, offers services designed to aid healing from injuries related to sports, physical ailments and accidents. Empire Physical Therapy participates with most major insurance companies.

Snap!VRS, a Pearl River-based company that focuses on telecommuications services for the deaf, is buying Viable Communications Inc., another company in the same industry. Viable, based in Rockville, Md., specializes in videoconferencing hardware and software, video relay services, and interpreting services for the deaf community. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. “Pairing our respective [...]

Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry is investing $4.4 million in new machinery and equipment at two operations in the Lower Hudson Valley. The chemical company, which had previously considered moving out of state before opting to remain in New York, expects to preserve 85 existing jobs as a result of the investment, according to the Empire [...]

LG Painting Co. recently opened at 81 Pondfield Rd., Suite 310, in Bronxville. The residential and commercial painting contractor serves the tri-state area. The company’s Web site is www.lgpainting.com.

T.J. Maxx, the off-price retail chain, recently completed a remodeling of its store at the Dalewood III Shopping Center in Hartsdale. The store redesigned its dressing rooms, revamped the checkout area and added new signage. The beauty department also doubled in size.

TrophyCentral.com, an on-line retailer of trophies, medals and plaques, recently opened an office in Brewster at 16 Mt. Ebo Road, Suite 12A. The Brewster office provides support to the company’s main offices in Marquette, Mich., and also serves as an East Coast location for shipping. The office will be open to the public by appointment [...]