November 16, 2009

RESIDENTIAL PERMITS UP IN Q3 – Residential construction in Volusia County may be on the rebound, according to permit data gathered by the county Department of Economic Development from the county and city permit offices. More than 100 people gathered recently at Daytona Beach International Airport for the department’s quarterly economic update were told residential building permits increased 74 percent in the third quarter in comparison with the second quarter. The full Q3 report is on the department’s website www.floridabusiness.org under Statistics/Key Reports.

MICROSOFT SIGNATURE SPONSOR OF B2B EXPO -- The Business 2 Business Expo is coming to the Volusia County Ocean Center Nov. 17 - 18. With Microsoft as the signature sponsor, the Expo will include nationally recognized business speakers, seminars, exhibitors and more. Organizers anticipate more than 2,000 business owners, CEOs and leaders will attend to network and learn about up-to-date business strategies and resources. To register for the Business 2 Business Expo, visit www.choosedaytona.com/expo or call Samuel Goodwin at 386/255-0981, ext. 233.

FOREIGN BUYERS LIKE FLORIDA REAL ESTATE – A recent study by Florida Trend magazine shows that 23 percent of foreign buyers of U.S. real estate, prefer Florida. International buyers of Florida property are led by Canadians (26 percent); Latin America (23 percent); Western Europe (22 percent), and the United Kingdom (16 percent).

BUSINESSES, INDIVIDUALS SHOULD EXPLORE ARRA BENEFITS – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides many benefits for businesses and individuals. Companies are advised to see if they can benefit from depreciation bonuses of up to 50 percent, increased expense deductions, and increases in net operating loss carrybacks. Check with your accountant as to what applies to your business. For more information go to http://tinyurl.com/aamntu.

VOLUSIA COUNTY HONORS SCORE -- The County of Volusia last week honored the volunteers of SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business. Sponsored by the county Department of Economic Development, more than 40 volunteers who counsel those who wish to start businesses or need help with their existing business were recognized by County Chair Frank Bruno at a lunch in their honor. SCORE contributes hundreds of hours each year and performs an invaluable service to small business in Volusia County, all of which is free. For more information, call 386/255-6889.

LEMERAND SERIES FEATURES THRIVING BAKERY OWNER -- The Small Business Development Center, in conjunction with the L. Gale Lemerand Center for Entrepreneurship, is offering a free presentation featuring Warren Brown, founder and owner of CakeLove. Brown will discuss how he took his passion and opened a business that now includes seven thriving bakeries. The presentation is free and open to the public. It will be November 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. Reservations are required. Please call Nancy at 386/506-4723 or send an email to sbdc@daytonastate.edu.

BUY VOLUSIA! WE ALL WIN -- In this down economy, local businesses are challenged every day to stay afloat and keep our neighbors employed. To that end, here’s a simple economic strategy: buy Volusia! and support our local businesses. Volusia County businesses create local jobs, use local supply chains, and promote the community's longterm health. So the next time you are thinking about a purchase by mail or on the internet, we recommend you think local -- buy Volusia! and all of us win.

COFFEE CUPS A WEIRD FUEL SOURCE? -- Scientists are hunting for fuels of the future, regardless of how strange. An Iowa State study recently demonstrated that Styrofoam cups can make polystyrene biodiesel fuel blends that could be used successfully. Fuel using as much as five percent coffee cups does quite well.

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