August 10, 2009

CHICAGO SITE SELECTORS CONSIDER VOLUSIA COUNTY – On July 27 and 28, the Volusia Department of Economic Development (DOED) participated in the Enterprise Florida-sponsored “Team Florida” presentation of Florida's economic development resources. The presentation was made to five multi-national site selection firms. Team Florida’s appointments with the site selectors provided an opportunity for the selectors to understand how Volusia County’s resources, for example, fit their needs and those of their clients, and served as a first step in developing a close working relationship with the selectors. Six other Florida communities participated in this informational forum in Chicago. DOED also has visited site selectors in Dallas and will participate in additional opportunities in Atlanta this September.

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY NEEDED – A 50,000-square-foot property is needed for a medical company that develops and manufactures diagnostic kits. The company's objective is to commission an FDA-approved facility. The commissioning can be a time-consuming process, which is why the company is seeking an existing facility that can be built-out or easily renovated. The facility must be available for outfitting beginning October 2009. If you know of a candidate for consideration, please contact Rob Ehrhardt, DOED, at (386) 248-8048, or e-mail rehrhardt@co.volusia.fl.us.

FLORIDA TREND BEST COMPANY – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) has been selected by Florida Trend magazine as one of Florida’s best companies to work for (2009). ERAU, based in Daytona Beach, was No. 20 in the large company category and was the only educational institution chosen for this list.

TAX-FREE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE – If employees receive educational assistance benefits from their employers, under an educational assistance program, they can exclude up to $5,250 of those benefits each year. If businesses provide educational assistance benefits to employees under an educational assistance program, they should not include the benefits in wages, tips, and other compensation paid to the employee, and the employee does not have to include the benefits on his/her income tax return. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/lpolms.

RANKS OF THE SELF-EMPLOYED – The number of businesses without employees grew 4.5 percent to 21.7 million in 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Self-employed individuals operating non-incorporated businesses accounted for most of these non-employer businesses. More than 19 million were sole proprietorships, 1.4 million were corporations and 1.2 million were partnerships. Though small, these businesses rang up $992 billion in sales in 2007.

KEISER OFFERS PH.D. – Keiser University (KU), which has a campus in Daytona Beach, has received approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a Level V institution. With the designation, KU soon will offer the doctor of philosophy in educational leadership program. The program will be offered online and the degree is designed for scholars and professionals to improve the educational institutions they lead, according to a KU news release. Areas of study include curriculum design, management of distance education, funding of educational institutions and politics.

QUICKBOOKS WORKSHOP – QuickBooks® - Level 1 is one of the most recognized accounting software packages available on the market. A four-evening workshop at Daytona State College (DSC), designed for small business owners, will provide an overview of the QuickBooks® software. The class will be taught by a Certified QuickBooks® Professional Advisor from 6 - 9 p.m. Mondays, August 24 and 31, and Sept. 14 and 21, on DSC’s Daytona Beach campus, bldg. 110, room 248. To register, please call (386) 506-4723 or e-mail sbdc@DaytonaState.edu.

WORKERS COMPENSATION DISCOUNT – A drug-free workplace program may make your business eligible for a 5-percent premium credit from your workers compensation insurance carrier. Call your agent for details.

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.