Monday - October 6, 2008

BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANTS AVAILABLE – Funding to assist Volusia County businesses affected by the flood waters of Tropical Storm Fay is available by the U.S. Department of Labor as part of a national emergency grant. Administered by the Center for Business Excellence, grants for up to $5,000 will be available to help pay for recovery costs incurred as a result of the storm. To qualify, businesses must have 25 or fewer employees, have an unemployment compensation account, been in business for at least 12 months prior to the Tropical Storm Fay, and have a least one employee unable to work as a result of the storm. If you or someone you know would like to apply for one the grants, call the Center of Business Excellence hotline at (386) 323-7079. (The hotline is a recorded message.) Please be prepared to leave your name, business name, location and telephone number. Messages are reviewed hourly. You will be contacted to arrange a meeting time to visit your business and process your application for benefits.

MANUFACTURER SEEKS SITE IN VOLUSIA – A manufacturer of air conditioner filters is looking for 50,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and office space. Persons who have or know of a building or industrial-zoned, shovel-ready vacant land that meets these requirements should contact John Kizer, business specialist, Volusia County Division of Economic Development, at (386) 248-8048 or by e-mail at jkizer@co.volusia.fl.us.

ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTORS – The EB-5 Program has been created to allow foreign nationals to invest in commercial enterprises in the United States in exchange for a chance for them and their families to become permanent U.S. residents. To date, the EB-5 program has brought in several billion dollars in investment and has resulted in the creation of tens of thousands of U.S. jobs. To learn more about the program, check out a seminar planned for Oct. 24 - 25 in Orlando at www.eb5seminar.com/, and click on the information link.

TRAINING GRANT APPROVED – Workforce Florida has announced that an Incumbent Worker Training grant for $11,000 recently was awarded to Ocean Reef Pools of Oak Hill. The grant was initiated by the Center for Business Excellence Workforce Development Board (CBE), and is designed to train seven employees. To learn more about training grants, and how your company may apply, contact Lori Stone Maushund at the CBE at (386) 323-7087.

HIGH TECH CONTINUES TO GROW – According to the American Electronics Association, Florida's high-tech exports and workforce are growing. Florida exported $13.4 billion in high-tech products in 2007, making it the third largest exporter in the nation. Growing for the 3rd consecutive year, Florida's high-tech workforce added an additional 5,700 jobs, making Florida the 4th largest “cyberstate” and among the eight fastest growing such states in the nation.

HANDLE A PUBLIC RELATIONS CRISIS – Public relations practitioners recommend certain actions businesses should take when facing crisis, whether it’s a scandal, financial problem, product issue or a major layoff: 1. Never say, "No comment." Hiding information only delays the inevitable and may damage you more. 2. Be honest and be available. Cooperate swiftly with the news media. The truth will prevail in the long run. 3. Communicate with all your audiences, news media, management, employees, stockholders, customers and vendors. 4. Be prepared by developing a crisis communication plan. Know who the communicator is and who contacts are. Don't let the buck get passed.

SPRECHEN SIE DEUTSCH? – Enterprise Florida is partnering with the U.S. Commercial Service in Frankfurt, Germany to offer business leaders a cost-effective opportunity to participate in one of the world’s largest fairs for the boating and water sports industry. Boot 2009 Dusseldorf is an eight-day show (Jan. 17 - 25, 2009) that attracts 280,000 visitors from 65 countries who have impressive buying power, international reach and knowledge of their sport. To find out how the Volusia County Division of Economic Development can help sponsor your participation, call Paul Mitchell at (386) 248-8048, or e-mail him at pmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us.

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.