DELAND CROSSINGS GROUNDBREAKING – U.S. Congressman John Mica
and U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Economic
Development Sandy Baruah participated in the latest groundbreaking
ceremony at DeLand Crossings Industrial Park to welcome BBK Performance.
BBK, a California manufacturer of after-market, high performance auto
parts, has begun the construction of a new 62,000-square-foot production
facility. According to Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno, BBK is
investing more than $6 million in the new facility and plans to hire up
to 40 high-skilled, high-waged workers. Members of the Volusia County
Council and the DeLand City Commission also welcomed BBK’s founders
Brian and Ken Murphy as the newest Volusia County manufacturers. BBK is
the second automotive company to begin construction of new production
facilities at DeLand Crossings Industrial Park in recent months. The
park is designed to accommodate up to 300,000 square feet of
manufacturing space, and is expected to attract up to $32 million in
capital investments. At capacity, it will accommodate an estimated 300
workers. For more information about DeLand Crossings, contact Pedro Leon
at (386) 248-8048.
VOLUSIA HORTICULTURE IS SEVENTH IN FLORIDA – Volusia County is
ranked seventh in environmental horticulture sales in Florida. The
$525-million environmental horticulture industry sector includes
business operations such as ornamental plant nurseries, fruits and
vegetables, landscape design and construction, retailers and turf
maintenance. Volusia also is ranked sixth in the state in total impact
within that industry.
EXPORTS EASE TRADE DEFICIT – A U.S. Census Bureau report
announced that the U.S. trade deficit for goods and services decreased
by more that $4.5 billion from November 2007 to December 2007. The
deficit decrease resulted from a $2.2- billion increase in exports,
coupled with a $2.2-billion decrease in imports of goods and services.
Exporting can be an important strategic initiative for local
manufacturers. Volusia County’s Economic Development Department has
programs designed to assist companies in exporting and trade. To learn
more, contact Business Specialist Paul Mitchell at (386) 248-8048.
KARAVAN TRAILERS EXPANDING – Karavan Trailers is expanding its
trailer assembly operation by investing in a new 44,000-square-foot
building in Edgewater. The company has outgrown its current
5,000-square-foot facility in New Smyrna Beach, and plans to move once
the new facility is complete. Karavan will occupy 19,200 square feet of
the new building, leaving 24,800 square feet available for other
businesses. For more information about available manufacturing space,
please contact David Meilahn at (920) 858-8590 or Kelly DeSoto at (386)
428-0975.
SKILLS TRAINING AVAILABLE – Did you know that Daytona Beach
College offers a complete range of skills training for manufacturers?
Training programs available include basic skills such as math; technical
skills including blueprint reading, CNC programming and welding;
software skills such as Mastercam and AutoCAD; quality training such as
ISO and Six Sigma; and more. Volusia manufacturers can upgrade their
workforce’s skills through on-site training. To learn more, contact
Frank Mercer at DBC’s Center for Business and Industry at (386)
506-4461.
EXPLORE THE HUB ZONE ADVANTAGE – The Small Business
Administration’s HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) Zone program
is an economic development program that uses federal contracting to help
distressed communities, and offers preferences to businesses in a
HUBZone. Volusia County has designated HUB Zones in the cities of DeLand
and Daytona Beach. Thirty-five percent of a HUB Zone company’s employees
must live within the Zone. However, eligible employees can reside in one
HUB Zone and work in another. To view HUB Zone maps online, visit
https://eweb1.sba.gov/hubzone/internet/index.cfm and click on “Are
You in a HUB Zone?”.
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
