June 14, 2010
HONOR OUR FLAG TODAY -- George Morris of Hartford, Conn., is
credited with suggesting "Flag Day," an occasion to honor of the
adoption of the American flag on June 14, 1777. The City of Hartford
observed the day in 1861 with a program of a patriotic order, praying
for the success of the federal arms, and the preservation of the Union.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially
establishing June 14 as Flag Day. In 1949, National Flag Day was
established by Congress. The week of June 14 is designated as "National
Flag Week" when citizens are urged to fly the American flag for the
whole week.
VOLUSIA PAVILION AT MEDICAL DEVICE CONVENTION – The first ever
“Volusia Pavilion” was sponsored by Volusia County Economic Development
last week at the Medical Device & Manufacturer’s Convention and Trade
Show in New York City. American Industrial Plastics, Command Medical,
and Magga Products represented Volusia manufacturing, and the county’s
three convention and visitors bureaus and the Ocean Center also were
represented. The manufacturers reported brisk activity and prospective
sales, and our tourism and convention representatives actively pitched
Volusia as a great tourism and convention destination.
BOATING IN VOLUSIA COUNTY MAKES HUGE ECONOMIC WAKE – According to
the Florida Fish & Wildlife Service, there are almost 22,000 boats
registered in Volusia County, and an estimated 630,000 “boat days”.
Registered boat owners spend about $141 million each year not including
the purchase of boats. Total spending on boat trips by boats registered
in Volusia County is more than $85 million. That results in 1,868 jobs
with a payroll of more than $46 million. The total economic impact of
boats registered in Volusia County exceeds $114 million, which includes
lodging, marina services, restaurants, repairs and maintenance, and
other retail trade.
FLORIDA’S GREEN ECONOMY GROWS -- A recent report by the National
Governors Association Center for Best Practices, analyzed emerging
"green" economies and prepared in-depth state profiles and employment
charts for the 1995-2007 period. Compared with the national average,
Florida’s concentration of green business activity grew competitively in
the air and environment, water/wastewater and green building industry
segments. To view the full profile of Florida’s green economy go to:
http://nga.org/Files/pdf/09greenprofilefl.pdf.
VOLUSIA FORESTRY CREATES A LOT OF GREEN -- Volusia has 707,800
acres. Forests make up 65 percent of that acreage. Crops account for 4
percent and pastureland 16 percent. Private landowners own 82 percent.
Forest industry companies account for 9 percent, and only 9 percent are
in public ownership. The industry employs more than 1,100 direct
employees and 2,300 indirectly. Payroll receipts exceed $21 million.
VOLUSIA HAS TWO MORE FOUR STAR CHARITIES -- Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org)
is a nonprofit group that evaluates charities on their organizational
efficiency and how well they can sustain their programs and services
over time. Locally, the LPGA Foundation in Daytona Beach and Global
Servants Ministries in Orange City recently received the highest four
star rating. These are two of the 109 charities in Florida that have
been so rated.
FLORIDA TAX CLIMATE AS GOOD AS THE WEATHER -- The Tax Foundation
recently released its 2010 State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index
considers state corporate tax, individual state income tax, sales tax,
unemployment tax, and property tax. Based on these factors, the Tax
Foundation ranks Florida fifth in terms of having the best business
climate among the 50 states.
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.
