December 7, 2009

CENTER FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE(CBE) WINS STATE AWARD – The Florida State Emergency Response Team (SERT) has honored the Volusia/Flagler Center for Business Excellence with the Emergency Response Team Program of the Year award for 2009. The Business Operations Center (BOC) is an adjunct to Volusia County’s Emergency Operations Center, and is designed to help local businesses pool resources in the event of an emergency. The BOC is the result of collaboration between the CBE, the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce and the Volusia County Department of Emergency Management. In an emergency, the BOC is staffed by volunteers from these groups.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC UPDATE – The Great Recession of 2008-09 appears to be ending; many national economies are in growth mode. Emerging markets are leading the recovery, resulting in a dramatically altered global economic order. This realignment will have a large impact on Florida’s international commerce for years. Learn more about broader global economic trends and the short-term outlook for Florida's key overseas markets by viewing the report at http://tinyurl.com/efitrade. To learn more about how exporting can make your business grow, call Paul Mitchell at the county’s Economic Development Department at (386) 248-8048 or e-mail pmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us.

SCORE OFFERS FREE WORKSHOP FOR NEW BUSINESS OWNERS – SCORE, counselors to America’s small businesses, will host a "How to Start Your Business" workshop from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Jan. 14, at Daytona Beach International Airport. If you’re looking to start a new business or recently have taken the plunge, this workshop is for you. Starting a business during difficult economic times has its advantages. Topics include the "Six Key Factors that Lead to Success" and "Overviews of Marketing, Pricing, Legal Structures, Financing, and Business Plans." There is no cost for this event, but advanced registration is required. Please call (386) 255-6889 or e-mail score87@earthlink.net.

GREAT FLORIDA TREASURE HUNT – The Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Unclaimed Property holds unclaimed accounts valued at more than $1 billion, mostly from dormant accounts at financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, securities and trust holdings. Unclaimed property also includes tangible property such as jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles from safe deposit boxes. There is no statute of limitations on making a claim. Go to http://tinyurl.com/axuj9 to learn more.

DAYTONA STATE OFFERS INSURANCE COURSES – Daytona State College has announced its 2010 winter/spring schedule for insurance pre-licensing and continuing education courses or for course requirements and detailed course descriptions, visit www.thecbi.com. To register, call (386) 506-3858.

INCREASING OFFICE RENTS – A recent NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association) Foundation Research Report has explored whether a pricing premium can be observed for mixed-use development. The outcomes are encouraging. Results show office space in a mixed-use development can command a statistically significant, positive premium in select markets. Mixed-use development can be attractive properties in a constrained economy because they offer the potential for multiple cash flows and asset-base diversification. To access the full report, go to http://tinyurl.com/renthike.

BUSINESS ACTIVITY RESEARCH – YourEconomy.org is a free research tool web site where visitors can take a closer look at business activity across the United States. Review local and state business formation, state rankings and business activity over time. The site also tracks resident- or in-state-based business activity and those headquartered outside a state. The site includes a helpful user’s guide and a glossary of terms. Give it a try at www.youreconomy.org.

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