HAPPY THANKSGIVING – Wishing you and yours a Happy
Thanksgiving!
COUNTY CELEBRATES RE-OPENING OF HISTORIC DELAND COURTHOUSE –
More than 300 people turned out last Thursday for the official
re-opening of the historic Courthouse in downtown DeLand. Originally
opened in 1929, the historic Courthouse has been completely refurbished
at a cost approaching $9 million. The restoration, already having been
singled out by the state as one of Florida’s most significant historic
projects, now is the home of the County Department of Elections and
other county offices. It contains an impressive collection of Florida
art by native artist Jackson Walker.
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO SURGE – While recent
reports indicate that housing construction across the country may be
slowing, that’s not the case in Volusia County. In fact, there were more
residential construction permits issued in the third quarter than in the
first two quarters of 2005. According to permit data collected by the
county’s Division of Economic Development from the county and city
permit offices, there were 1,814 residential starts in the third quarter
worth $369.5 million in value. Although the City of Daytona Beach
Shores, where condominium construction is predominant, issued only 179
residential permits the value of those permits was $78.1 million. There
were 409 residential permits issued in incorporated Volusia worth $68.8
million. Daytona Beach had the highest amount of commercial construction
in the quarter with $50.1 million. The $11.6 million in commercial
construction in unincorporated Volusia was the second highest in the
third quarter. Through the first three quarters of the year, commercial
and residential construction has surpassed $1.1 billion.
NEW MANUFACTURING OUTSOURCING GUIDE TO UP CONTRACTING
OPPORTUNITIES – The county Division of Economic Development has a
new pilot program to promote and market area manufacturers to national
defense contractors and other key industry contacts. The program
identifies key subcontracting capabilities and capacities such as
machining, tooling, milling, casting, welding, heat treating, plating,
and electronics for 30 local manufacturers qualified to meet various
quality control and production requirements. A new Outsourcing Guide
will be distributed at industry trade shows and through direct mail to
encourage the use of Volusia manufacturers. For more information on the
Outsourcing Guide, please contact Phil Ehlinger, Business Assistance
Manager, at 386/248-8048 or view the guide
online.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX UP .2 PERCENT LAST MONTH -- The consumer
price index rose by 0.2 percent last month, after jumping 1.2 percent in
September when the Gulf Coast hurricanes caused gasoline prices to climb
above $3 per gallon, the Labor Department reported. The core index,
which excludes food and energy, also rose 0.2 percent in October,
compared with September's 0.1 percent increase. Energy prices fell 0.2
percent in October, after rising 12 percent in September. Gasoline
prices fell 5.1 percent last month, but natural gas and electricity were
up 5.6 percent.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT TRENDS OUTLINED BY MYREGION STUDY –
According to a development study conducted by the University of
Pennsylvania for the myregion.org
planning group, Volusia County has 782,644 acres of which 520,904 acres
are suitable for development. Currently 122,541 acres have been
developed to support our existing residential, commercial and industrial
needs. The amount of developed land in Volusia County is expected to
increase to 309,243 acres by 2050 leaving only 211,661 acres remaining.
For a copy of the report, please contact Shelly Lauten, Project Director
at myregion.org.
NEWS ITEMS WANTED! – Please send your business news items to:
Dave Byron, Volusia County Community Information, 123 W. Indiana Ave.,
DeLand, 32720-4612, by fax at (386) 822-5072 or by e-mail at
dbyron@co.volusia.fl.us
