Monday – September 4, 2006

HAPPY LABOR DAY – Be thankful we live in a country where businesses are free to grow and prosper.

EMBRY-RIDDLE EXPANDS GLOBAL CAMPUS -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has announced a major expansion and restructuring of its global educational activities through its Worldwide Campus, formerly known as the Extended Campus. The Worldwide Campus will continue to be headquartered in Daytona Beach in the first building in a research park the university is developing adjacent to the Daytona Beach campus. The proposed $11-million, 50,000-square-foot building is scheduled for completion by January 2009. Embry-Riddle Worldwide began in 1970 as a branch of the Daytona Beach campus at Ft. Rucker, Ala., with 20 students, primarily military working adults. Since then, the program has grown to be one of the largest off-campus, regionally accredited colleges in the United States, with more than 45,000 alumni. Today, the Worldwide Campus meets the needs of more than 27,000 students through classroom, online, or hybrid undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs. There are plans to add 10-20 new graduate and undergraduate programs in aviation, aerospace, and related disciplines.

HOLLY HILL PROPERTY OWNERS SEEKING JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS -- The owners of seven+ acres on Ridgewood Avenue in Holly Hill are seeking joint venture partners for a mixed use commercial development. Interested parties may contact the owners through Marsha Radulovich, Community Redevelopment Area Coordinator, City of Holly Hill, at 386/248-9435.

CVB LAUNCHES RESTAURANT PROMOTION FOR AREA RESIDENTS -- The Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will present Dine Out Daytona Beach -- its first-ever restaurant week promotion -- September 11-17. The promotion includes participation by more than a dozen select area restaurants. Dine Out Daytona Beach is designed to enhance the CVB's destination image campaign, which highlights the area's new offerings. During Dine Out Daytona Beach, residents can take part in wine tastings and food events, and enjoy $10 lunch and $20 dinner specials at area eateries. For more information on Dine Out Daytona Beach log on to www.dine.daytonabeach.com or contact the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at (386) 255-0415.

FLORIDA’S WORKER COMP RATES MAY DROP -- The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has proposed an 11 percent reduction in overall workers compensation rates in Florida. According to NCCI, this rate reduction will translate into savings of $407 million to Florida businesses. According to the Florida Insurance Commission, the latest rate filings for Workmen's Compensation Insurance call for an overall decrease. If approved, the rate decrease would be the fourth drop since the system was reformed in 2003. The reductions are due to a significant drop in claims. Rate changes would be effective January 1.

DBCC ANNOUNCES SERIES OF BUSINESS PLANNING WORKSHOPS -- The Small Business Development Center
at Daytona Beach Community College is continuing its series of free business planning workshops in September at the Daytona Beach campus. The workshops, to be held in the evening during September, will cover topics such as business plans, marketing plans, and finances. To make your reservation to attend the workshops or for more information contact Nancy Franssen at (386) 506-4723 or via e-mail at sbdc@dbcc.edu.

COUNTY’S WORKFORCE MEETS REGIONAL DEMAND FOR WORKERS -- According to data released earlier this week by the U.S. Census Bureau in the 2005 American Community Survey, 22 percent (roughly 54,000) of the estimated 248,000 workers that live in Volusia County work outside the county. Of all workers in Volusia, 52.5 percent are male and 47.5 percent are female.

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.