Monday – June 25, 2007

WEST VOLUSIA INDUSTRIAL SITE NEEDED – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development is working with a manufacturing prospect seeking industrial zoned land in the DeBary and Deltona area. The company plans to construct a 100,000-square-foot production facility. If you or someone you know has a parcel that meets these requirements please contact John Kizer, Business Specialist, at 386/248-8048.

IDA TO CONSIDER REVENUE BONDS FOR YMCA – The Volusia County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) will meet July 2 to consider industrial revenue bond (IRB) issuance for the West Volusia YMCA. The YMCA is proposing a $9 million IRB for the construction of facilities in Deltona and DeBary and a new family fitness center at the DeLand YMCA.

CPI-U SHOWS MODEST GROWTH -- The U.S. Department of Labor has released the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for May. The report says costs have increased 2.7 percent since May 2006. This index is used widely in escalation agreements to adjust payments for price changes, frequently in collective bargaining agreements, rent contracts, insurance policies with automatic inflation protection, and alimony and child support.

OPPORTUNITIES PROMISING FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADS -- The number of new college graduates hired by U.S. companies is expected to be 17.4 percent larger this year than a year ago. Central Florida ranks in the top 10 areas of the country for opportunities. The number of new grads hired by the service sector is expected to increase 19.8 percent while the manufacturing sector is expected to grow 9.5 percent. The average salary offered a new college grad this year will be 4.6 percent higher than a year ago. Above average increases are expected for graduates with degrees in engineering, management/information systems and business administration. Students with liberal arts degrees, such as psychology, political science, history and English, will see little change.

VOLUSIA’S PERSONAL INCOME GROWTH RANKS HIGH – Personal income here has risen significantly, according to a recent Bizjournal study of the nation’s top 100 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA). The report shows the Deltona/Daytona/Ormond Beach MSA's five-year income growth rate (2000-2005) was 21.5%, 12th among the nation’s 100 largest MSAs. The only other Florida MSA with a higher growth rate was Cape Coral-Fort Meyers and Lakeland.

BOAT COMPONENTS MANUFACTURER SEEKS LOCATION – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development is working with a manufacturer of boat components to accommodate the company’s need to purchase a 20,000 - 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Volusia County. The facility should have a paint booth and a sprinkler system in place and additional acreage for future expansion. If you have or know of a property that may fit this description please contact Paul Mitchell, Business Specialist, at 386/274-3439.

FLORIDA AGAIN TOP TOURIST DESTINATION – Thanks to last year’s calm hurricane season, Florida has regained its status as America's favorite vacation spot. Two nasty hurricane seasons allowed California to bump Florida as America's favorite vacation spot. But one calm summer has lifted Florida back into the top slot. After Florida's eight-hurricane barrage between August 2004 - October 2005, travelers soured somewhat on the Sunshine State. Tourism stalled statewide in 2006. However, the most recent survey has Florida beating California by two points.

NEW YORK MANUFACTURER CONSIDERS VOLUSIA LOCATION – A manufacturer of package products is considering a potential relocation to Central Florida and is seeking an existing industrial zoned site to construct a 90,000- square-foot production facility. If you or someone you know has a parcel that meets these requirements please contact John Kizer, Business Specialist, 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.