March 1, 2010

VOLUSIA EXPORTS INCREASE -- The U.S. Department of Commerce recently reported the value of exports from Volusia County for the first six months of 2008 was $149.7 million. This represents an increase of $12.3 million, or 9 percent, over the same period in 2007. In spite of the current economic downturn, international sales remain a good source of revenue. If you are interested in selling internationally, please contact Paul Mitchell at the Volusia County Department of Economic Development at 386/248-8048 or by email pmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us.

SESSION TO FOCUS ON LEAN MANUFACTURING – The Florida Manufacturers Extension Partnership, the Volusia Manufacturers Association and Daytona State College are presenting a one-day workshop that will focus on the principles of lean manufacturing and how to apply them. Lean principles eliminate waste and improve the bottom line. The session will be March 10 at Daytona State College from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register, call Jayne Fifer at 386/673-0505 or by email at jayne.fifer@vmaonline.com

CONGRESSMAN MICA TO SPONSOR EXPORT AND TRADE SEMINAR – Congressman John Mica is sponsoring a free seminar to provide information from federal and state agencies about resources to develop exporting and international trade. The event will be March 8 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the AAA headquarters in Heathrow. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Export-Import Bank, Small Business Development Center, Enterprise Florida, and the SBA will be present. To register, or for more information, please call 407/657-8080.

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN TO DISCUSS ENTREPRENEURSHIP SECRETS -- The L. Gale Lemerand Center for Entrepreneurship and the Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College will present Cameron Johnson, one of the most successful young entrepreneurs in the world. Johnson will discuss his 19 secrets of entrepreneurship. The presentation will be March 3 at 6 p.m. at Daytona State College, building 1200. The session is free and open to the public. To register please call 386/506-4723 or email sbdc@daytonastate.edu. Reservations are required.

RESIDENCY GUIDE A RESOURCE FOR MOVE TO FLORIDA -- The Florida Residency Guide provides information for a move to Florida. It includes information on such things as auto tags and titles; becoming a Florida resident; business issues; driver's licenses; Homestead exemption; insurance requirements for vehicles, and Florida real estate taxes. It can be ordered at http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=132

FLORIDA TRANSIT SYSTEMS RECORD 262 MILLION TRIPS -- According to the Florida Department of Transportation Florida Transit Handbook, the state has 28 urban fixed route bus systems, four of which also operate rail. In 2008, Florida passengers made more than 262 million transit trips totaling more than 1.4 billion passenger miles. Locally, the county’s Votran public transit system recorded more than 3.4 million annual passenger trips and more than 18.7 million passenger miles. For additional transit information, go to http://www.dot.state.fl.us/transit/.

SESSION TO FOCUS ON BEING READY FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY -- The Small Business Development Center will present a seminar entitled: Get Your Business Ready for the Good Times to Come – Listening to Your Business. The session will be March 4 from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the New Smyrna Beach-Edgewater campus of Daytona State College, 940 Tenth St., portable 101, New Smyrna Beach. To register call 386/506-4723 or email sbdc@daytonastate.edu. Reservations are required.

LINT HAS ITS PRICE -- The average U.S. household spends up to $135 a year in energy costs drying clothes. A dirty lint filter can use 30 percent more energy to get the job done.

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