GROWTH AT ARDMORE FARMS – Since integrating its new product
line at a cost of $5 million, Ardmore, a division of Country Pure Foods
in DeLand, has seen its production increase by 46 percent. In 2006,
Ardmore’s capacity was about 19 million gallons of juice per year. In
2007, it produced more than 31 million gallons of juice, which is about
504 million individual servings! The company hired an additional 38
full-time employees and now employs 178 full-time employees.
SCHOOL IMPACT FEES INCREASE APRIL 1 – The Volusia County Code
requires school impact fees be indexed every year. County school impact
fees paid after March 31 will be subject to the new rate of $8,546.91
per home. A building permit application must be submitted prior to March
31 in order to pay impact fees at the current rate of $6,065.94. Also,
impact fees still due for projects in progress must be paid by March 31
(to pay at the current rates). Fee schedules are posted at
www.volusia.org/permitcenter.
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES GROW – The favorable exchange rate
has spurred increased interest by foreign companies to partner and
contract with manufacturers in the United States. Volusia County offers
strategic advantages to companies involved with international trade.
Volusia manufacturers offer high-quality services and products such as
medical devices and automotive parts that are in demand overseas. For
information about current international trade leads, contact Paul
Mitchell, business specialist, at 386-248-8048.
WCEU HOTLINE – The WCEU “Small Business Hotline” program at 7:30
p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24, will be about business and strategic planning.
Bill Thompson, president of Thompson Pump, will be a special guest. The
half-hour live call-in show will focus on planning for business success.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC EXPORT MISSION –The Dominican Republic was
Florida's 8th largest trading partner in 2006 with $4.8 billion in
two-way trade. In 2007, Florida merchandise exports to the Dominican
Republic grew an estimated 8 - 10 percent, to reach more than $2.7
billion, making the Dominican Republic the fifth largest export
destination for Florida exports. The strong commercial relationship
between Florida and the Dominican Republic is expected to grow
significantly with the signing of the free trade agreement and the
subsequent elimination of most duties. Enterprise Florida is leading a
mission to the Dominican Republic March 9 through 12. Registration is
required by Feb. 1. For more information, please contact Luis Cuervo at
305-808-3660 or e-mail
lcuervo@eflorida.com.
START YOUR OWN BUSINESS – The Small Business Development Center
of Daytona Beach College is offering a workshop in West Volusia which
will give participants an overview of the seven basic requirements for
business startup. The workshop will be from 6 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5,
at the DeLand campus of Daytona Beach College, 1155 County Road 4139
(building 1, room 130). For information and/or to register, call Nancy
Franssen at 386-506-4723.
CITY MANAGER’S BREAKFAST – Port Orange City Manager Ken Parker
and South Daytona City Manager Joe Yarbrough will be giving an update on
the activity in their cities at a city manager’s breakfast at 7:45 a.m.,
Wednesday, Jan. 23. The breakfast, sponsored by the Port Orange/South
Daytona Chamber of Commerce, will be at the Riverside Pavilion, 3431
Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Seating is limited and reservations are
required. Please call 386-761-1601.
BUSINESS PLANNING – From aircraft equipment maker to yoga center,
the Small Business Administration provides sample business plans for
many kinds of companies. Internet users can find more than 100 sample
business plans and other helpful information at
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan.
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
