February 1, 2010

FOURTH QUARTER ECONOMIC SUMMARY – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development will host a briefing on the economy (October through December 2009) Friday, Feb. 5, in the Volusia Room of Daytona Beach International Airport. Breakfast will be served at 7:45 a.m., and Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno will welcome the group at 8 a.m. To make a reservation, call (386) 248-8048 by Monday, Feb. 1. Seating is limited so call today.

SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPS – The Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College is presenting a series of workshops from 6 - 9 p.m. Feb. 3 through March 3. Topics include how to start a business, financing, recordkeeping, taxes and marketing. Workshops will be at Daytona State College, bldg. 110, room 112. Call Nancy Franssen at (386) 506-4723 for fee options and to register.

HOSPITALAR TRADE FAIR – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development and Enterprise Florida (EFI) invite you to participate in HOSPITALAR 2010, the leading health fair in Brazil and Latin America, from May 26 - 28. The groups have secured space for a Florida section within the USA Pavilion to showcase your company’s products and services. Last year’s event attracted 86,000 visitors from 30 nations. Companies that produce or supply products, equipment, services or technology for hospitals, health clinics and laboratories should consider participating in this event. Grants are available to qualified Florida companies. For more information, contact Paul Mitchell, Volusia County Economic Development, at (386) 248-8048 or pmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us; or Michael Schiffhauer, EFI, at (407) 956-5634 or mschiffhauer@eflorida.com.

JOB MARKET 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). Meanwhile, 9 percent say they’re likely to reduce their headcount in this year. The majority of the 2,720 hiring managers and personnel executives surveyed (61 percent), plan keep the number personnel at their business the same. However, salaries are a mixed bag. Only 29 percent of employers say they will offer higher salaries in their job offers to new workers.

SBA BENEFITS – Online, the SBA explains the benefits of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Topics include elimination of loan fees, access to capital, SBA loan guarantees up to 90 percent, and the expanded micro-loan program. Go to http://tinyurl.com/yzc6rgq and select "Investing in Small Business: 2009 Recovery Act" for a 10-minute presentation.

2010 TAX CALENDAR – The 2010 IRS tax calendar for small businesses and self-employed is filled with useful information to help you tend to your small business concerns. Available in English and Spanish (as Publication 1518SP) this calendar offers tax reminders/instructions shown by date, and highlights a different tax topic each month. In addition, the last few pages offer tips for business success, a list of forms and publications and a tear-out sheet of quick reference items. Visit www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1518.pdf to print a copy of the calendar, or use the online version found at www.tax.gov/calendar.

RECOVERY ACT TAX BENEFITS – Go to www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1693_09.pdf for details on net operating loss carryback, reduction of estimated tax payments, extension of bonus depreciation deductions and more.

GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK – Don't take the ATM receipt. ATM receipts are one of the top sources of litter on the planet. If everyone in the U.S. declined the option of printing an ATM receipt, it would save a roll of paper more than 2 billion feet long…enough to circle the equator 15 times.

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