January 18, 2010

CALL CENTER INQUIRY – A national site selector is conducting a preliminary search for 30,000 square feet of move-in ready space for a call center client. The representative may consider a space that easily could be converted into a call center and offers parking for 125-plus, but prefers a location that previously has been used in this capacity. If you have or know of an existing building meeting these requirements, please contact Rob Ehrhardt, Volusia County Department of Economic Development, at (386) 248-8048 or e-mail rehrhardt@co.volusia.fl.us.

FLORIDA MEP PROVIDES COMPETITIVE EDGE – Command Medical Products, Ormond Beach, recently participated in an open workshop about value stream mapping – a technique used to analyze the flow of materials and information needed to create a product – hosted by Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). Florida MEP determined the company was eligible for U.S. Department of Defense funding for an additional lean manufacturing workshop, two-day value stream mapping event and four-day kaizen. The kaizen, which was conducted in June, resulted in a projected labor cost savings of more than $50,000 for Command Medical. For information on how the Florida MEP can help your bottom line, contact Paul Heiret at (407) 473-3429, or e-mail paulah@floridamep.org.

DECEMBER MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY POSITIVE – As reflected in U.S. manufacturing activity, the economy is showing some signs of modest but continued improvement. The December 2009 Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Manufacturing Report on Business outlines improvements over the last several months in a number of indicators, including the purchasing manager's index, new orders, production and employment. Lowered inventories are seen as indicators for some future growth, but it’s uncertain whether the growth can be sustained. For additional information and the complete report, go to the ISM web site at www.ism.ws/ismreport/mfgrob.com.

SENATOR LYNN TO SPEAK AT VMA – Sen. Evelyn Lynn will speak at the Volusia Manufacturers Association’s monthly dinner meeting Thursday, Jan. 28, in the Volusia Room of Daytona Beach International Airport. To register or for more information, contact Jayne Fifer at (386) 673-0505 or visit www.VMAonline.com.

EMPLOYMENT LAWS RELATING TO VETERANS PREFERENCE – The City of Ormond Beach is hosting a Veteran's Preference Training program presented by the Florida Department of Veteran's Affairs from 9 a.m. - noon Friday, Feb. 26. The presentation will focus on enhancing attendees’ understanding of state employment laws regarding veterans preference in appointment (new hires), retention (applying veterans preference when budget reductions eliminate positions), and reinstatement and promotion for returning veterans. Contact Sandy Dutt at (386) 676-3228 or dutt@ormondbeach.org for more information.

COBRA BENEFITS EXTENDED – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), as amended Dec. 19, 2009, provides for continued premium reductions for health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). The premium reduction applies to periods of health coverage that began on or after Feb. 17, 2009, and lasts for up to 15 months. For more information, visit www.dol.gov/ebsa/COBRA.html.

EMPLOYER OPTIMISM? – A report by CareerBuilder says 20 percent of surveyed employers plan to hire new workers next year for fulltime, permanent jobs, up from 14 percent in 2009. Sixty-one percent of the 2,720 hiring managers and personnel executives surveyed plan to neither increase nor decrease the number of personnel at their business. Salaries are a mixed bag in the report. Only 29 percent of employers say they will offer higher salaries in their job offers to new workers, though 57 percent of the respondents say they likely will raise salaries for people who already worked for them in 2010.

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