March 23, 2009

PROGRESS ENERGY LOWERS BILLS – Progress Energy Florida received approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to decrease 2009 customer bills by $15.08 per month per 1,000 kilowatt-hours for residential customers starting with the first April billing cycle. Industrial customer rates will decrease on average by 11 to 13 percent. The 2009 price reduction includes a revised fuel forecast and a deferral of a portion of this year's nuclear pre-construction charges for the Levy nuclear plant.

DISCOUNT DRUGS – The Florida Discount Drug Card Program is designed to lower the cost of prescriptions for Florida residents who have no drug insurance coverage. You may qualify if you are age 60 and older or if you are under age 60 with a qualifying income. For more information regarding the Florida Discount Drug Card, please call (866) 341-8894, e-mail info@FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com or go to www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com. TTY Users may call (866) 763-9630.

BEHIND THE BANKING CURTAIN – The Volusia Manufacturers Association is hosting a panel of our local bankers Thursday, March 26, in the Volusia Room at the Daytona Beach International Airport. Networking starts at 5:30 p.m. The program, which follows dinner, will comprise executives from six of our local banks who will give the inside scoop on answers to banking questions. For more information and/or reservations, call Jayne Fifer at (386) 673-0505 or e-mail jayne.fifer@VMAonline.com by noon Wednesday, March 25.

BUSINESS INCENTIVES – Did you know that 49 percent of the Qualified Targeted Industry Incentives go to existing, expanding businesses? The state and Volusia County program provides performance-based tax refunds to qualifying companies. Most think this incentive program is only for new-to-Florida businesses, but it applies to all new-to-Florida jobs. If your plans include adding more than 10 employees, call Paul Mitchell at the Volusia County Division of Economic Development at (386) 248-8048 to see if you qualify.

SUSTAINABILITY: HOW IT AFFECTS OUR FUTURE – A panel of community leaders will be discussing the subject of sustainability and how it affects our education, environment and a “green” economy at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Stetson University in DeLand. Free to the public, this educational forum is sponsored by the Government Affairs Committee of the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, go to www.DeLandChamber.org or call (386) 734-4331.

REJUVENATING FLORIDA – Some recent reports indicate Florida's economy is losing its luster, that the state no longer has the foot-on-the-accelerator growth it once had, and that people outside the Sunshine State possibly “just aren't into Florida” anymore. The Florida Chamber of Commerce recently assessed the state's future and its growth outlook. Members came up with six pillars, or "drivers,” they say are key to the state's economic future during the next two decades. The pillars are talent, innovation, infrastructure, business climate, governance and quality of life. Economic leaders believe those pillars, if successfully nurtured, will help create a globally competitive state with vibrant communities and high-paying jobs.

SCAM ALERT – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a scam alert to small businesses, warning them not to respond to letters falsely claiming to have been sent by the SBA asking for bank account information in order to qualify them for federal tax rebates. The fraudulent letters were sent out with what appears to be an SBA letterhead to small businesses across the country, advising recipients that they may be eligible for a tax rebate under the Economic Stimulus Act. The letter asks the small business to provide the name of its bank and account number. These letters have not been sent by or authorized by the SBA, and all small businesses are strongly advised not to respond to them.

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.