December 14, 2009

TRAFFIC INCREASES 12 PERCENT AT DBIA – Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 12 percent in November 2009 compared with November 2008. November’s traffic increase reflects the first month of passenger growth since June 2008, and may be an indicator of increased demand for commercial air transportation in the new year, according to airport officials. Additionally, passenger loads were strong in November. Delta Air Lines filled 92 percent of available seats and US Airways filled 84 percent.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS – Small businesses often are the backbone of their communities. With this in mind, business owners should plan to be able to respond to the possibility of a wider H1N1 influenza outbreak this winter. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers a free preparedness guide for small business on their website, http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/disasterpreparedness/index.html. Small businesses also may contact the Small Business Development Center (386) 506-4723 to take advantage of no-cost business counseling.

GROW FLORIDA – Hundreds of Florida businesses are about to become beneficiaries of a visionary program, “GrowFL,” which is designed to help them grow and create jobs by providing access to an elite team of business analysts. The analysts are trained in a variety of disciplines and equipped with sophisticated tools designed and targeted for what are known as “second-stage” companies. GrowFL will deploy its team of analysts at no charge to provide qualified companies with technical assistance and access to information and decision-making tools. Companies may apply at www.GrowFL.com.

FLORIDA EXPORT DIRECTORY – It’s time to connect global buyers to your Florida company! The state’s economic development agency, Enterprise Florida Inc., has announced the launch of the online Florida Export Directory at FloridaExportDirectory.com. On this new site, Florida exporters can gain free international market exposure through a searchable, Web-based directory. The directory was developed in partnership with the publishers of The Export Yellow Pages, the well-known online and print directory of U.S. exporters, which is distributed and used by U.S. Department of Commerce offices worldwide. For information about exporting and resources and grants available to Volusia County companies, contact Paul Mitchell, Department of Economic Development, at (386) 248-8048, or e-mail pmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us.

A GREAT PLACE TO STAY – Many leisure and business travelers have learned Volusia County is a premier destination, and one reason may be our tourist facilities. The State of Florida reports the county has 9,108 hotel/motel rooms, as of July 2008. Volusia County is fourth among the state’s 67 counties in number of hotel/motel rooms.

INDIAN RIVER LAGOON – The Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program recently was awarded a $25,000 grant, awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate-Ready Estuaries program, to develop model adaptation strategies for the lagoon. Once complete, the strategies and Comprehensive Growth Management Plan goals, objectives and policies will be available for local governments to use in planning to address climate change and sea-level rise. For more information, visit sjrwmd.com/itsyourlagoon.

WANT THE LATEST TECHNICAL DATA? – Did you know that the U.S. Department of Commerce maintains a National Technical Information Service (NTIS)? Its mission is to promote the nation's economic growth by providing access to information that stimulates innovation and discovery. For more than 60 years, it has served as the largest central resource for government-funded scientific, technical, engineering and business-related information. NTIS offers businesses, universities and the public timely access to approximately 3 million publications covering more than 350 subject areas. Visit ntis.gov to learn more.

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