3rd quarter 2008           

County gets state grant for international trade

An International Trade grant from Enterprise Florida’s International Trade Division has been awarded to the Volusia County Division of Economic Development to support the county’s exporting initiative.

The grant of $60,000 will be used to support two international trade initiatives in Europe being developed by the county to encourage increased exports of locally grown agricultural products and defense technologies.

The department is working with the county’s Agricultural Extension office and representatives from the fern and ornamental flower industry to identify selling opportunities in floral markets in Amsterdam.

A second initiative to advance the sale of defense-related technologies to members of NATO also is being planned. Both exporting initiatives are in the early stages of planning.

The Volusia County Division of Economic Development will lead these initiatives that will include a host of local industry participants during the duration of the program
expected to be implemented later in the year.

Assistant Commerce Secretary to address VMA Rear Admiral William G. Sutton will be the keynote speaker at the Aug. 28 membership meeting of the Volusia Manufacturers Association. Currently serving as an Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Assistant Secretary Sutton will speak on how free trade agreements affect manufacturers and opportunities for Volusia companies to export to the European Union. The meeting is sponsored by the Volusia County Division of Economic Development and will be held in the Volusia Room at Daytona Beach International Airport. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner.

Rear Admiral William Sutton, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce

To RSVP for this important presentation and networking event, contact Jayne Fifer, president of the Volusia Manufacturers Association, online at www.vmaonline.com.
Applicants sought for Exporter of the Year The Volusia Manufacturers Association (VMA), in cooperation with the Volusia County Division of Economic Development,
is seeking applicants for the 2008 Volusia County Exporter of the Year Award.

The award recognizes the exporting accomplishments of Volusia County manufacturers. The award will be presented to a Volusia County company that has demonstrated outstanding export performance during 2007/2008. The winning company will be the recipient of a fully paid “Gold Key” grant to fund an individual sales mission to one of 150 eligible countries worldwide.

Anyone may nominate a business for the “Exporter of the Year” Award. To obtain a simple two-page application for nomination, contact Paul Mitchell, international trade specialist, Volusia County Division of Economic Development, at (386) 248-8048 or by e-mail at pmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us.

Applications must be submitted on or before Sept. 19. The award will be presented at the Volusia Manufacturers Association’s annual meeting Oct. 23 at Sunset Harbor Yacht Club.