Monday – July 16, 2007

INTERNATIONAL TRADE THE TOPIC FOR VMA JULY MEETING – The Volusia Manufacturers Association's (VMA) monthly meeting July 26 will address exporting to foreign markets. Speakers include Jack Setnicka, former vice president of the Energizer Battery Company, Liddon Dell, international marketing manager for Hawaiian Tropic, and Misty Kane, international trade specialist for Enterprise Florida. The meeting will be in the Volusia Room, Daytona Beach International Airport’s main terminal. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and speakers at 6:30 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $25. Advance reservations should be made by calling Jayne Fifer, VMA president, at 386/673-0505.

TRADE MISSION SET FOR PANAMA/COSTA RICA -- Costa Rica and Panama are among Florida's top 25 trade partners totaling more than $5.25 billion in trade during 2006. Enterprise Florida will coordinate a trade mission September 16 - 21 to these two countries designed to identify and initiate business sales meetings. If you would like to have personalized one-on-one business appointments coordinated for your company, plus a U.S. Commercial Service briefing for both countries, contact Misty Kane at 407/956-5642 or by email at mkane@eflorida.com. Registration deadline is July 30.

SUMMER TOURISM OFF TO A GOOD START -- Area tourism officials aren't sure if it was graduation, Memorial Day or just timing, but more tourists visited Volusia County in May this year than last year. The bed tax collected on short-term lodging rentals was up in the county's three taxing districts. The biggest leap was in West Volusia, the smallest district, where revenue was 20.8 percent higher than May 2006. The second highest increase was in Southeast Volusia where collections rose 9.5 percent. Bed tax collections in the Halifax area, the largest tourism district, were up 1.36 percent.

EDUCATION BUDGET A GROWING CONCERN -- Public education barely dodged the impact of property tax reform legislation this year. There is a constitutional amendment looming in January to expand the state's homestead exemption benefits, possibly devastating property tax revenue to schools. State revenue officials will convene August 1 to finalize an income forecast that could be as much as $1 billion lower in general revenue than expected. Advocates say education funding may suffer the most because it accounts for 53 percent of the state's general revenue fund.

COST OF SBA 504 LOAN DROPS -- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantee fee of one-half percent that borrowers pay is being eliminated for 504 loans approved on or after October 1. This one-time, upfront fee is assessed to borrowers to offset costs associated with administering the guarantee the SBA issues to debenture investors. The 504 loan program is designed to support business-related capital assets such as property acquisition, construction, facility expansions, equipment and machinery. Ask your local business loan officer to learn more about the availability of SBA 504 loan programs or call Phil Ehlinger, county Department of Economic Development, at 386/248-8048.

MANUFACTURER SEEKS BUILDING, LAND – The county Department of Economic Development is working with a lighting fixture manufacturer that is seeking 150,000 square feet of manufacturing space or at least 25 acres of industrial zoned land in the DeBary, Orange City or Deltona area to construct a facility. If you have or know of an existing facility or land that meets these minimum requirements, please contact John Kizer, Business Specialist, at 386/248-8048.

FORUM ON BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN BRAZIL -- In 2006, U.S. exports to Brazil exceeded $19 billion, a 25 percent increase over 2005. Volusia County companies providing products or services related to aviation, power generation, medical equipment, and services sectors have the greatest potential for sales growth in Brazil. Join the Florida District Export Council July 25 to participate in a forum to discuss opportunities and the "how to" of exporting to Brazil. The event will be from 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in Orlando. The cost is $45 and includes a continental breakfast. For details and to register go to www.floridaexporter.com/brazilorlando.

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.