March 22, 2010
MAKE YOURSELF COUNT; FILL OUT YOUR CENSUS FORM -- The U.S. Census
Bureau has mailed census questionnaires to more than 120 million
households in the United States. The federal government will use the
population data to determine how to allocate more than $400 billion a
year for the next decade to state and local governments. Data also will
be used to draw school districts, establish state legislative districts
and determine how many seats each state has in the U.S. House of
Representatives. In 2000, 67 percent of Volusia County residents
returned their census forms. For more information, visit
www.volusiacounts.org.
DBIA TRAFFIC INCREASES 15 PERCENT IN FEBRUARY -- Passenger
traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 15 percent in
February compared with February 2009. During February, 42,803 passengers
flew in and out of the county-operated airport. This compares with
37,283 travelers recorded in February 2009. The passenger traffic
increase in February is the result of more seats being offered by Delta
and US Airways. The traffic increase in February marks the fourth
consecutive month of traffic growth over the same month the previous
year, and airport officials look for continued passenger traffic growth
because additional flights and larger aircraft have been scheduled for
the remainder of the winter and spring which should encourage increased
air travel.
VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OFFERS ECONOMIC GARDENING SESSION
– The Volusia Manufacturers Association is hosting Dr. Tom O’Neal of the
University of Central Florida at its March 25 meeting. Dr. O’Neal will
discuss the state’s “grow your own business” or economic gardening
program. The economic gardening initiative supports companies with
growth potential through education and low cost financing. The dinner
meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Indigo Lakes Golf Club in Daytona
Beach (note the changed location). For more information and
reservations, call Jayne Fifer at 386/673-0505 or email
jayne.fifer@VMAonline.com
by March 23.
SMALL BUSINESS CREATES MAJORITY OF JOBS -- The U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy recently released a
report detailing the job creation of small business over the last 15
years. According to the report, small businesses created 65 percent of
the net new jobs in the private sector, according to conservative
estimates. The report, An Analysis of Small Business and Jobs, notes
that many of the jobs are in new business startups, but an even larger
share are in expanding firms of all sizes, particularly mid-sized firms
with 20-499 employees.
FLORIDA EXPORT DIRECTORY A GLOBAL MARKETING TOOL -- More than
2,000 exporters and export service providers have signed up for the
Florida Export Directory since Enterprise Florida introduced this free,
web-based global marketing tool last October. The site provides a
directory of prospective foreign trade partners and a growing database
of Florida organizations. The database is searchable by keywords,
product categories, industry, and a wealth of other company profile
information. Go to
www.FloridaExportDirectory.com.
IS YOUR HOME READY FOR A FLOOD? -- The torrential downpours that
caused widespread flooding last May remind Volusia County residents they
should be prepared for the possibility of more floods this year. Volusia
County Emergency Management officials encourage residents to update
their preparedness plans before spring showers arrive. According to the
National Weather Service, flooding causes more damage in the United
States than any other severe weather-related event -- an average of $4.6
billion a year. To learn about flood insurance, visit
www.floodsmart.gov. You can
learn more about strengthening your home at
www.flash.org.
ENJOY OUTINGS ON CONSERVATION LANDS IN APRIL -- Environmental
enthusiasts can enjoy some of Volusia County’s most diverse conservation
lands through free guided outings in April. Go to
http://www.volusia.org/03-16b-10.htm for more information and a
schedule of events.
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.
