Monday – April 3, 2006

OVER BUDGET BIDS TO DELAY OCEAN CENTER EXPANSION -- Volusia County officials have confirmed the start of vertical construction of the Ocean Center expansion project is likely to be delayed by at least four months because bids received by the project’s builder are more than $8 million over budget. Site work for the expansion of the Ocean Center is well under way and vertical construction was scheduled to start early this summer. The prime contractor, Hardin Construction Co., Atlanta/Peck and Associates, Daytona Beach, and the project’s architectural firm, Thompson, Ventulett, Stainbeck and Associates (TVS), Atlanta, are meeting to come up with ways to resolve the problem. The Ocean Center expansion is seen as a key element of the county’s future tourism and the rejuvenation of the core beachside of Daytona Beach. The project’s $63 million price tag is being financed with resort taxes. 

MARCH A SUCCESSFUL MONTH FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES -- The county ended the month by hosting more than 120 national manufacturing executives for a three-day manufacturing forum in Daytona Beach Shores. Earlier approvals by the County Council to support two new manufacturing companies from New Jersey and Pennsylvania brings these projects a step closer to moving an estimated 50 new jobs to the New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach areas. And, more than 40 area companies participated in workshops featuring procurement specialists from NASA and commercial officers from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador. 

WORKFORCE BOARD HAS TRAINING FUNDS -- Funding is available to assist businesses in Volusia and Flagler counties to provide training to upgrade industry-related skills or certifications of current employees and to defray the initial salary costs associated with training new hires. To find out how these programs may benefit your business, please contact the Workforce Development Board Center for Business Excellence at 386/323-7008 or by email at .

MANUFACTURING JOINT VENTURE OPPORTUNITY -- The Division of Economic Development has an inquiry from a developer of pioneering medical products looking for a company to manufacture a proprietary line of coatings under license. The licensor is seeking a company experienced in printing and laminating with the ability to alloy specialized commercial inks. If your company is interested in this opportunity please contact Phil Ehlinger, Business Assistance Manager, at 386/248-8048.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE FAIR SCHEDULED FOR DELAND – The county’s Small Business and Minority Development Initiative in cooperation with the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce will conduct its first 2006 Business Assistance Fair Wednesday, April 5, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Thomas C Kelly Administration Center, 123 West Indiana Ave., DeLand, in the first floor training rooms. Professionals from area businesses and support organizations will be there to discuss aspects of starting a new business and related subjects such as how to select and start a business and various methods of financing. Participants include the Central Florida Community Development Corporation, cities of DeLand, Lake Helen and Pierson, Stetson University Center for Holistic Micro Credit, SCORE, and the Workforce Development Board. The fair is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Julio Holness at 386/274-3437.

DELAND MANUFACTURER RECEIVES WORKFORCE TRAINING GRANT – BP International, Inc. was awarded a $22,750 Incumbent Worker Training grant from the state’s Workforce Florida, Inc. to train 30 fulltime employees. BP International is at the DeLand airport and is a manufacturer of athletic court and field equipment and shade structures. The training grant will be used to upgrade worker skills. 

NEWS ITEMS WANTED! – Please send your business news items to Dave Byron, Volusia County Community Information Director, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, 32720-4612, by fax at (386) 822-5072 or by e-mail at dbyron@co.volusia.fl.us. If you wish to have your name removed from this weekly email broadcast, please let us know.

Division of Economic Development
700 Catalina Drive, Suite 200, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Telephone: 386-248-8048   FAX: 386 238-4761   Toll Free: 800-554-3801

Rob Ehrhardt
Manager
doed@volusia.org