Monday – February 26, 2007

FIRST EMERGENCY BUSINESS LOANS ISSUED IN DELAND – Volusia Mirror & Glass is the first DeLand area business to benefit from the state’s Emergency Bridge Loan program. The loans are designed to assist companies that sustained physical damage or were impacted by the February 2 tornado. The emergency bridge loan program provides short-term loans for up to $25,000 interest free for up to six months. The state has made up to $1 million available to Volusia County businesses. Locally, the program is being administrated by the county’s Department of Economic Development in cooperation with the DeLand area branches of SunTrust Bank, Riverside Bank, Wachovia, Bank of America, Main Street Community Bank, Prosperity Bank and Harbor Federal. Applications are available online or by calling Paul Mitchell at the Department of Economic Development at 386/274-3439.

FUNDS AVAILABLE TO HIRE TORNADO-DISPLACED WORKERS -- The Center for Business Excellence (CBE) has received a national grant from the state to assist in local tornado recovery efforts. The funds will be used to match dislocated workers as a result of the tornadoes with nonprofit agencies and local governments contributing to cleanup and humanitarian efforts. Nonprofits and governments interested in applying for temporary workers to assist in local recovery efforts should contact the CBE at 386/323-7077 or by e-mail at robinking@cbe-fvc.org to attain an application.

VCARD TO PRESENT ECONOMIC TRENDS PROGRAM -- The Volusia County Association for Responsible Development (VCARD), in conjunction with Dredging and Marine Consultants (DMC), will present an educational program called An Overview Of The County’s Current Economy … Forecast Of Future Development Trends … And Comparison To Other Florida Metro Areas. The featured presenter will be Sean M. Snaith, Ph. D., Director, Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida. The University Institute compiles quarterly forecasts of the Florida economy and 12 metropolitan areas, including Volusia County (Daytona Beach / Ormond Beach / Deltona). Dr. Snaith will provide an overview of Volusia’s most recent economic report; provide insights on the county’s future trends and development potential; and compare Volusia’s status with other Florida Metro Areas. The session will be Friday, March 23, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Sunset Harbor Yacht Club, 861 Ballough Road, Daytona Beach. The $20 cost includes lunch. For more information, call VCARD at 386/257-4169 or by e-mail to gail@daytonachamber.com.

SUPERIOR STEEL RELOCATING WORKFORCE TO DELAND – Superior Steel Components, Sanford, will be relocating near the DeLand Municipal Airport. The company manufactures light gauge steel trusses, wall panels, decking and light gauge floor systems for the commercial, institutional and light industrial construction markets. Based in Locust, North Carolina, the company has operations in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee in addition to the company’s new facility in DeLand. The company will be relocating and creating up to 15 new to Volusia County manufacturing jobs.

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA -- The Small Business Administration has signed an agreement with India to identify partnering opportunities for small businesses. U.S. companies exported $8 billion in products and services to India in 2005, while India's exports to the U.S. totaled $18 billion. The U.S. is India's largest trade and investment partner. For more information on this new opportunity, see www.sba.gov

GOLD KEY GRANTS OFFERED TO LOCAL EXPORTING OPPORTUNITIES – Matching grants are available from the county’s Department of Economic Development to support the identification of new markets for locally manufactured products and services. The grants are available to all Volusia County businesses seeking new sales opportunities in more than 150 countries worldwide. The program is part of a coordinated effort with the U.S. Foreign and Commercial Service. To date, the local Gold Key program has supported local companies in expanding sales in China, Mexico, Singapore and Europe. To learn more about the county’s Gold Key grant program, contact Paul Mitchell at 386/248-8048.

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