COUNTY HOSTS SCORE APPRECIATION LUNCH The Volusia County
Council and the Department of Economic Development hosted a lunch
November 28 for the SCORE volunteers who provide thousands of hours of
free help to entrepreneurs in Volusia County. County Chair Frank Bruno
and members of the County Council welcomed the volunteers and thanked
them for their efforts to improve the quality of life in the Volusia
County by providing assistance to all businesses, not just startups.
Since the formation of the local SCORE chapter, more than 45,000
individuals have been helped. For more information, call 386/255-6889 or
visit the website
www.score87.org.
EDGEWATER POWER BOATS TO STAY IN VOLUSIA The Volusia County
Industrial Development Authority has approved a memorandum of agreement
with EdgeWater Power Boats regarding the proposed issuance of Industrial
Revenue Bonds in the amount of $5.7 million to finance the acquisition
of property, machinery and equipment, and to build a new manufacturing
facility. EdgeWater Power Boats plans a major expansion of its
production of fiberglass powerboats which will include the hiring of 53
new employees over the next three years. The company, which presently
employs 98, seriously considered a move to North Carolina, but thanks to
the efforts of the City of Edgewater, Volusia County and the state, has
purchased a site for its new plant in Edgewater.
HOW GREEN IS YOUR COMPANY? -- The increase in interest in
corporate environmental practices reflects the growing significance of
green issues in business today. Lenders and investors here and abroad
encourage companies to assess the implications of climate change. Many
businesses are becoming more responsive by compiling and issuing
periodic environmental reports either separately or as part of broader
corporate sustainability reports. Additional information on this subject
can be found at
http://www.globalreporting.org/CurrentPriorities/ClimateChange/.
FLORIDA EXPORTS INCREASING -- Global demand, productivity growth
and a weakening dollar are supporting record levels of U.S. goods and
services exports. For Florida, this may temper the negative impact of
continued weakness in the states housing sector. Some evidence of this
appears in the first seven months of 2007, where Florida-origin exports
are running 16.5 percent or about $3.5 billion ahead of last year.
Florida companies so far this year have exported $700 million more in
telecommunications equipment and more than $1 billion more in other IT
products. To access the Florida Economic Bulletin, go to
http://www.eflorida.com/KnowledgeCenter.aspx?id=1672.
VOLUSIA FIFTH HOTTEST AREA TO DO BUSINESS Inc. Magazine has
rated the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach area as the fifth hottest
place in the country for business in medium sized cities. Our area moved
up from seventh in 2006. Business services, leisure and retail activity
are a key part of the analysis. For the complete listing, go to
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20070501/features-boomtowns-07-midsize.html.
MANUFACTURER NEEDS 10,000 SQUARE FEET The county Department of
Economic Development is working with a manufacturer seeking a production
facility with outside storage. If you know of an existing facility or
properly zoned land that has not been placed on our web site please
contact John Kizer, Business Specialist, at 386/248-8048, or email
jkizer@co.volusia.fl.us.
Your information will be forwarded to the company.
TOP SBA LENDER -- Bank of America has been named the top Small
Business Administration lender in the nation for the 10th consecutive
year. Bank of America says its has relationships with nearly one in four
small businesses -- a number totaling more than 4.5 million.
Private-sector lenders make 7(a) loans, but the SBA guarantees 50
percent to 90 percent of the amount, depending on the size and type of
loan. Small businesses primarily use 7(a) loans for working capital. The
loans are attractive because of their long terms, which reduce the
monthly payment.
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
