November 9, 2009

HIGHEST HOUSEHOLD ENERGY USERS – Ever wonder which household appliances consume the most energy, and can provide the biggest savings if their use is reduced, when possible? Based on $.085 per kwh, a refrigerator costs $8.04, a washer (using warm water) costs $6.76, a clothes dryer costs $6.11, a freezer costs $5.47, an electric range costs $4.66, a dishwasher costs $4.18, a well pump costs $3.54, a microwave costs $1.28, a television costs $1.28 and a home-computer costs $.96. For more information, go to http://tinyurl.com/savelectric.

ANGEL INVESTORS – According to the Angel Capital Association, its member groups of angel investors fund approximately 700 new companies each year, and have an ongoing portfolio of more than 5,000 entrepreneurial companies in the United States and Canada. Their membership consists of approximately 7,000 high-net-worth individuals in a network comprised of 165 angel groups and 22 affiliate organizations (as of September 2008). Go to http://tinyurl.com/angelbucks for additional information and a directory of angel investor groups.

WORKERS COMPENSATION RATE REDUCTION – Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said Oct. 15 he has approved a proposed rate decrease of 6.8 percent for all new and renewed workers’ compensation policies. It’s effective Jan. 1. This seventh consecutive reduction in rates since the Florida Legislature passed reforms in 2003 will result in an estimated $166 million in savings for employers. Go to http://tinyurl.com/yljanqg to learn more.

BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY – Did you know that the average European spends more than $115 per year on flowers, buying them at least once a week to brighten their homes and workplaces? That’s compared to the average American's expenditure of only $7.50 per year on flowers, mostly purchased for holidays. That's a fact the Volusia County delegation of horticulturists learned on their recent trade mission to the Horti Fair in Amsterdam, home of the world's largest flower auction.

STUDENT HOMEBUILDERS – Volusia County high school students teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build a 1,000-square-foot house in the parking lot of behind new Smyrna Beach High School. The off-site construction is a first for Southeast Volusia Habitat, according to Daniel Cox, career and technical education specialist at the school. The house will be moved to nearby homesite upon completion. Another off-site house is under construction at DeLand High School.

ORANGE AVENUE BRIDGE STUDY – Volusia County, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation, is conducting an in-depth evaluation of the 55-year-old Veteran Memorial (Orange Avenue) bridge in Daytona Beach. The goal of the study is to determine the best alternative for improvements to the existing two-lane bridge. Rehabilitation and replacement will be considered in the study, which is expected to be completed in February 2011. Project information and meeting announcements also will be posted on the project's web site at www.veteransmemorialbridge.com.

FOUR-STAR NONPROFIT – The LPGA Foundation has been recognized as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator. The evaluation rates organizational efficiency and capacity using a set of financial ratios or performance categories, and resulted in a fund-raising efficiency of $.04 for this Daytona Beach nonprofit organization. The LPGA Foundation was established in 1991 to empower and support girls and women through developmental and humanitarian golf initiatives. For more information on the charity rating system or to see other results, visit www.charitynavigator.org.

SILVER EDITION – The State of Florida has created an “Employ Florida Marketplace-Silver Edition” web site at http://silver.employflorida.com. Businesses can use the site as a recruiting tool to hire experienced older workers. In addition, people over 50 can use this site as a way to find a paying job or a local volunteer opportunity.

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