Monday – April 9, 2007

COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVES FIRST STEP IN SUPPORTING LOCAL MANUFACTURER – The Volusia County Council has approved an economic development request for a 20 percent share of a $159,000 performance grant for Edgewater Powerboats. The company is near the Parktowne Industrial Center and employs 98 high-skilled workers in Edgewater. The County Council’s support is part of a series of initiatives to encourage the company’s expansion. The County Council also supports a larger effort by Enterprise Florida to prevent the company’s potential relocation to the Carolinas. North and South Carolina for the past several years have been aggressive in recruiting Florida boat industry companies. Several boating manufacturers in other Florida communities have made the move north.

WANT TO BE PART OF THE DaVINCI PARTNERSHIP? – The county’s Department of Economic Development has joined with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to form the DaVinci Partnership. The DaVinci Partnership is an effort to identify and draft research proposals for millions of dollars in federal research and product development funding for Volusia manufacturing and software development companies. If your business is American-owned and independently operated for profit and employs less than 500 employees, you may be eligible for funding under the federal Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant program. To learn more about the DaVinci Partnership and its SBIR Users Group, contact Jackie Dreher, Business Manager, at 386/248-8048 or by emailing her at jdreher@co.volusia.fl.us

SBA TO ESTABLISH WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS CONTRACT PROGRAM – The U.S. Small Business Administration is establishing a new program designed to set aside a portion of government contracts for women-owned businesses. The agency will release a study that identifies industries where women have been under represented. Under the new program, federal agencies can set aside contracts in those industries for women-owned businesses. Congress directed the SBA to establish the women's contracting program as a way of helping the federal government reach its goal of awarding at least 5 percent of its prime contracting dollars to women-owned companies nationwide. For more information on contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses, see www.womenbiz.gov

MORE INTERATIONAL TRADE OPPORTUNITIES – The state in June is sponsoring a trade mission to Colombia, Florida’s seventh largest trading partner. Trade opportunities for Florida-based companies include automotive parts and services, computer hardware and software services, medical equipment, pollution control equipment, safety and security technologies and equipment, and telecommunications equipment and service. As part of your company’s participation, the state will identify and match your company’s needs with potential buyers. Volusia County companies wanting to participate in this mission are eligible for reimbursement of half of the mission’s participation fee. For more information, contact Misty Kane, Florida Trade Specialist, at 407/956-5642 or Paul Mitchell, county Business Specialist, at 386/274-3439.

EUROPEAN TRADE SPECIALISTS AVAILABLE FOR ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS – Enterprise Florida is hosting a global business seminar in Orlando titled Business Opportunities in the European Union. A limited number of one-on-one appointments with Enterprise Florida representatives from the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Italy are available to pre-approved attendees. The presentation and lunch costs $20 and will be at the Sheraton Orlando Downtown Hotel Wednesday, April 18, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. with appointments commencing directly after. Companies interested in reserving a seat and setting an appointment with a representative from any of these countries should contact Misty Kane, International Trade Specialist, with Enterprise Florida by calling 407/956-5642 or by e-mail mkane@eflorida.com

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.