November 2, 2009

ATTEND THE QUARTERLY COMMUNITY ECONOMIC BRIEFING – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development will update business, banking, education and local government leaders at 7:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in the Volusia Room of Daytona Beach International Airport. The briefing will highlight the area’s employment trends, commercial and residential building activities, and residential foreclosure rates for July, August and September 2009. The seating for this event is limited to 120 registrants and breakfast will be provided. Reserve your seat by calling the Department of Economic Development at (386) 248-8048 by Wednesday, Nov. 4.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED – The Volusia County Industrial Development Authority was formed several years ago to assist manufacturers and other qualified businesses in obtaining financing, at favorable interest rates, in order to promote economic development. A recent resignation has created a vacancy in the group, and a candidate from the business or financial community is needed. Members of the Industrial Development Authority are appointed by the Volusia County Council. If you’re interested, go to http://volusia.org/countycouncil/advisory.pdf for an application, or for more information call Phil Ehlinger, Department of Economic Development, at (386) 248-8048.

HR BOOT CAMP – The Human Resources Division of the Volusia Manufacturers Association is sponsoring a program from 7:45 - 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the Volusia Room at the Daytona Beach International Airport. The program will cover worker compensation costs, COBRA, group health policies, and new and imminent labor and employment laws that will affect your company. For more information and/or register, contact Jayne Fifer at (386) 673-0505, e-mail Jayne.Fifer@VMAonline.com.

HORTICULTURE TRADE MISSION MAKES SALES – Volusia County’s first trade mission group to attend to the world’s largest horticultural trade show in Amsterdam has returned with sales in hand. Anticipated sales to date exceed $750,000, with more sales opportunities on the horizon. The group of 27, which also was the largest single delegation from the U.S., is reporting that their meetings with buyers, importers and other industry officials were not only educational, but also prompted new ideas for increased exporting in the future. The trade mission was made possible by a trade grant from Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development arm and was supported by the U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S. Embassy and Volusia County Government.

CHECK FOR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY – Unclaimed property, mostly from dormant accounts in financial institutions, unclaimed utility deposits, insurance benefits, premium refunds, uncashed checks and trust accounts, can be claimed for free at any time by the rightful owners or heirs by logging on to www.FLTreasureHunt.org or by calling the Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Unclaimed Property, at 1-88-VALUABLE. More than $41 million has been returned by State of Florida to rightful owners in only three months.

HOW TO START A BUSINESS – The Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College will present a five-part series about how to start a business from 6 - 9 p.m. Nov. 4, 11, and 18; and Dec. 2 and 9, at Daytona State College (building 110, room 249). Registration is required by calling (386) 506-4723. For more information, e-mail sbdc@daytonastate.edu.

NEW IDEAS IN SOLAR AND CLEAN ENERGY – Enterprise Florida, the state economic development agency has partnered with the global industry media group, Greentech Media to produce a webinar on innovative developments in solar energy. This global event will provide insight into trends in the U.S. solar market, and showcase Florida as a clean energy hub. To register, go to www.eflorida.com/solarwebinar.

VOLUSIA COUNTY WINS ‘TOP 100’ AWARD FOR 5TH STRAIGHT YEAR – Volusia County Government has again earned a spot in the Orlando Sentinel’s competition, and was named one of Central Florida’s most family-friendly places to work.

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