Monday – August 6, 2007

COUNTY COUNCIL OKs COMMUTER RAIL – The Volusia County Council has voted unanimously to approve Volusia County’s participation in a regional commuter rail system that initially will connect from DeBary to stations in Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties, including stops in Orlando. A second phase of the project includes plans to extend passenger service to DeLand in 2013. Work is expected to begin on the final site selection of a passenger rail station on U.S. 17/92 in DeBary this year. Transportation officials hope to have the commuter service in operation by 2010.

EMPLOYMENT GROWS DESPITE SETBACKS IN SOME INDUSTRIES – While employment numbers for Volusia County were down in June by 2,800 jobs from May, Volusia’s marketplace continued to show advancement for the past 12 months. The largest of these new job gains were in education (800 positions), healthcare (600 positions) and in professional and business services (300 positions). Industry sectors that retreated during the same 12 months were hospitality (minus 800 positions), financial services (minus 300 positions) and construction (minus 200 positions).

COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF TOMOKA FARMS INDUSTRIAL PARK – After several years of planning, design and engineering, the County Council has awarded a $2.39-million contract to D&W Paving, Holly Hill, for the construction of the first phase of the Tomoka Farms Industrial Park. The contract calls for construction of roads and water and sewer infrastructure for 77 acres. The 43 acres in the second phase will be reserved for future use. Adjacent to Volusia County’s solid waste complex on Tomoka Farms Road, west of Daytona Beach, the Tomoka Farms Industrial Park will provide an alternative location for industrial uses that are less compatible to more populated areas. The new industrial park will provide leased acreage for terms ranging from 30 - 50 years. At buildout, the initial phase is expected to generate more than $90 million in new capital investment and provide employment space for up to 1,500 new workers. Construction is expected to begin in September and be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2008.

EMPLOYMENT PICTURE VARIES FROM CITY TO CITY – The most recent employment report issued by the state shows Deltona with the county’s largest workforce of 45,405 workers among area cities with populations over 25,000. Daytona Beach accounted for 33,530 workers, followed by Port Orange with 29,434, and Ormond Beach with 20,051. Unemployment for each city also varies with Deltona at 4.1 percent; Daytona Beach at 3.9 percent; Port Orange at 3.3 percent, and Ormond Beach at 3.1 percent for June. Countywide unemployment in June was 3.9 percent.

VMA TO SHOWCASE MANUFACTURERS -- The Volusia Manufacturers Association (VMA) will present a showcase of Volusia's manufacturers. The event -- "Let's Make It Together" -- will be at the Advanced Technology College September 27. Local manufacturers can exhibit their products and services. Manufacturers within 75 miles also will be invited as will vendors of machinery/equipment, raw materials, and services. Students from area high schools, vocational/technical schools, and local colleges and universities are encouraged to come to discuss career and mentoring opportunities. For more information contact Jayne Fifer at jayne.fifer@vmaonline.com or by calling 386/673-0505.

MANUFACTURER SEEKS NEW FACILITY – The county Department of Economic Development is working with an automotive products manufacturer seeking 120,000 square feet of production space in the Deltona, DeBary, Orange City and DeLand area only. The company will consider a lease or purchase. If you know of an existing facility or the availability of 12 or more acres zoned for manufacturing, please contact John Kizer, Business Specialist, at 386/248-8048. All proposals received will be packaged and forwarded to the company for review in advance of a visit later this year

SALES TAX HOLIDAY – No sales tax will be collected on the sale of books, clothing, wallets, or bags selling for $50 or less, and certain school supplies selling for $10 or less between August 4 - August 13. Details on tax free items can be found at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/tips/pdf/tip07a01-07.pdf.

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.