Jan. 5, 2009

RAYDON AWARDED $46-MILLION CONTRACT – Raydon Corporation has been awarded a government contract potentially worth $46 million to perform support services for war-game simulation used by the Department of Defense. The Daytona Beach-based high-tech company beat a number of bigger rivals to win the three-year deal which involves testing, maintaining and upgrading ground vehicle simulators for the Army, Army National Guard and Marine Corps.

MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURER SEEKS FACILITY -- A medical device manufacturer is seeking an existing facility of 70,000 square feet capable of expansion to 125,000 square feet. Proximity to a hospital or medical center is important. Build-to-suit options will be considered. If you have or know of a facility that can meet the criteria, please e-mail the information to jkizer@co.volusia.fl.us or call him at 386/248-8048 by January 12.

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES -- Effective January 1, Florida's minimum wage is $7.21 per hour, up from the $6.79 per hour minimum wage in 2008. The minimum wage applies to all employees in the state who are covered by the federal minimum wage. The Florida minimum wage will prevail over the federal rate until the federal minimum wage becomes higher than the state rate. The federal minimum wage will increase to $7.25 July 24. Florida employers then must increase the minimum wage from $7.21 to $7.25.

CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANS ANNUAL MEETING – The Central Florida Community Development Corporation (CFCDC) is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing opportunities to persons of low and moderate incomes, stimulates economic investment in stagnant or declining communities and improves the quality of life for clients. Its annual meeting January 26 will feature a presentation on CFCDC’s 2008 accomplishments and community development activities planned for this year. Community participation is encouraged. The meeting will be at the Ramada Inn, 1798 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Space is limited. Please contact Michelle Johnson at 386/253-3232.

CORPORATE TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SAVES $$$ -- The corporate income tax credit scholarship program produces a net savings to the state. In fiscal year 2007-08, taxpayers saved $1.49 in state education funding for every $1 lost in corporate income tax revenue due to credits for scholarship contributions. For more information go to http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/reports/educ/r08-68s.html.

WEBSITE PROVIDES HEALTH FACILITY COMPARISONS -- The redesigned health care website, www.floridahealthfinder.gov, contains information to help users compare hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, health plans, nursing homes, and prescription drugs. The website also includes Florida health care facilities, information on health insurance, medical care resources for the uninsured, and resources for seniors.

SCHOOLS ARE GETTING BETTER GRADES -- Florida has more schools earning As and Bs than ever. Of 2,889 schools graded this year, nearly three quarters (2,125) are high performing receiving an A or B grade. The number of low-performing schools decreased significantly compared to last year. Of the remaining 764 schools 20 percent earned a C, 5 percent a D, and 2 percent an F. For more information go to http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/.

WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON LEAN MANUFACTURING TRAINING -- The Volusia Manufacturers Association, Florida MEP and Daytona State College are sponsoring a hands-on workshop to demonstrate how lean manufacturing works and how to use it to improve operations. The session is January 27 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Daytona State College. Please call Paula Heiret at 407/473-3429 or go on-line to http://www.floridamep.org/events/le102_jan27.pdf.

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.