REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER SOUGHT – The county Department of
Economic Development is seeking “build-to-suit” proposals for an
office/manufacturing prospect that requires a 125,000-square-foot
facility for administrative, research and production space. The company
is requesting lease proposals for sites in the Daytona Beach area. If
you would like to submit a proposal for review by this prospect, contact
Pedro Leon, Project Manager, at 386/248-8048.
VMA SEEKS EXPORTER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES -- The Volusia
Manufacturers Association (VMA) is accepting nominees for the 2007
Exporter of the Year award. This award is presented annually to a
Volusia company that has demonstrated outstanding performance in
exporting local products or services. The winner will be honored at the
Manufacturer of the Year Awards Banquet October 25 at the Plaza Resort
and Spa. The deadline is Tuesday, September 18. For an application,
contact Jayne Fifer, VMA president, at 386/673-0505 or by email at
jayne.fifer@VMAonline.com. The Exporter of the Year award is sponsored
by the county Department of Economic Development to recognize the
economic importance of exporting local products. In 2006, Volusia
companies exported to more than 110 countries.
PROGRESS ENERGY NAMED TOP UTILITY -- Progress Energy has been
named a Top Utility for Economic Development by Site Selection magazine
for its success in generating business expansion for 2006. Progress
Energy has made the Site Selection list in five of the last six years.
The Top Utilities list is released annually by the magazine which
surveys utility companies across North America. Performance is graded on
the number and type of new and expanded facilities, the number of new
jobs and capital investment created, and new programs in support of
business activity.
MANUFACTURER SEEKS NEW FACILITY – The county Department of
Economic Development is working with a structural steel and metal
fabricator seeking 150,000 square feet of production space and three
acres of outside storage space. The company will consider a lease or
purchase. If you know of an existing facility or the availability of 18
or more acres zoned for manufacturing that meets these minimum
requirements, please contact John Kizer, Business Specialist, at
386/248-8048.
TRAINING GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL COMPANIES -- Opportunities
are available to area companies seeking funding to support improved
skills training for employees. Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) grant
applications are being accepted for the 2007-2008 program year. The IWT
is a federal program that provides matching grants for customized
training for existing for-profit businesses looking to upgrade the
skills of their employees. To explore how this program can work for you,
contact Paul Mitchell, Business Specialist, at 386/274-3439.
HOUSEHOLD EARNINGS IMPROVE -- Volusia’s aggregate household
earnings is improving, according to the U.S. Census American Community
Survey (ACS). Volusia’s aggregate household earnings increased from $7.1
billion in 2005 to more than $8.4 billion in 2006. The ACS tracks
demographic, economic and housing information through interview data
samples that are used to monitor community trends. For more information
go to www.census.gov/acs/www/index.html.
WORFORCE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE – The Volusia/Flagler Regional
Workforce Board maintains One Stop employment centers in Daytona Beach
and DeLand. These centers provide area employers and job seekers with a
variety of services -- many free to area employers. Local workforce
assistance includes applicant prescreening and job referrals, employee
recruitment and retention services, access to worker training grants and
rapid response services in the event of a planned layoff or an increase
in employment. To learn more about how the One Stop centers can assist
your company, contact Lori Stone-Maushund at the Center for Business
Excellence, at 386/323-7087.
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.
Department of Economic Development
700 Catalina Drive, Suite 200,
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Telephone:
386-248-8048
FAX: 386 238-4761 Toll Free: 800-554-3801
