Monday – June 18, 2007

INDUSTRIAL SITE NEEDED – The county Department of Economic Development is seeking 10 acres zoned industrial or light manufacturing in the Port Orange, South Daytona, Daytona Beach or New Smyrna Beach area to accommodate the construction of a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that could be expanded to 100,000 square feet. The site must be available for purchase with existing zoning and be ready to build. If you know of a parcel meeting these minimum requirements, please contact John Kizer, Business Specialist, at 386/248-8048.

NUMBER OF VOLUSIA BUSINESSES EXCEEDS 13,000 -- According to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, there were 13,104 businesses operating in Volusia County in September 2005. A year later, the number had grown to 13,675, a 4.4 percent increase. This data includes businesses covered by the Unemployment Insurance Program (approximately 98 percent of businesses in operation countywide). The report does not include self-employed businesses.

VOLUSIA'S UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS LEVEL -- Volusia's unemployment remained at 3.3 percent in May, but the number of workers rose by 1,095. The workforce in May was 251,991, compared to 250,896 in April. May's numbers show an increase in new workers by 4,764, compared to May 2006.

PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION COSTS INCREASING – The costs of U.S. logistics in 2006 have been reported as $1.3 billion by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. These costs now account for 9.9 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. Over the past three years, container shipments have gone up 30 percent; railroads handled a record 9.4 million freight containers, and air freight services to and from Asia helped push freight-ton miles up 4.6 percent.

IDA TO CONSIDER REVENUE BONDS – The Volusia County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) will meet July 2 to consider an industrial revenue bond (IRB) issuance for NSI Intellitec Products. NSI is proposing a $6.5-million IRB to construct manufacturing facilities at DeLand Crossings Industrial Park near DeLand. NSI makes automotive and recreational vehicle electrical components and is planning to build a 65,000-square-foot facility. The company is operating in the former General Dynamics plant at the DeLand airport. Upon completion of the facility at DeLand Crossings, NSI will relocate about 20 jobs from Illinois, increasing its local employment to approximately 100 workers.

WANT MORE ON INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS? – The county Economic Development Department can provide financial help to manufacturers seeking capital for construction, land acquisition/buildings, or the purchase of equipment. IRBs are income tax exempt and can be used to finance longterm needs at interest rates about 75 percent of the prime lending rate. For more information about the IRB program, contact Phil Ehlinger, Business Manager, at 386/248-8048.

COLLEGE DEGREES AMONG WOMEN ON THE RISE – The number of college degrees is increasing nationwide and women are leading the trend, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Between 1988-2003, the number and proportion of degrees awarded to women rose at all levels. In 2003, women earned the majority of associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. NCES expects the trend to continue. For additional information, visit the NCES web site: http://nces.ed.gov/programs/projections/projections2014/sec_4b.asp

CHEAPER ELECTRICITY A BIG BUSINESS INCENTIVE – A key factor for businesses considering relocation here is the cost of electricity. The county uses the Edison Electric Institute’s Typical Bills and Average Rates Report to estimate the savings to the business. For example, a Florida Power & Light residential customer in Volusia pays $105 a month for 1000 kwh. The same amount of electricity in Connecticut will cost $188. In this example, there is an annual savings in Volusia County of $996. Many of the comparisons done for business prospects amount to savings well in excess of $100,000 or more a year. These savings become part of the business incentives that impact a relocation decision.

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.