Monday – July 21, 2008

SEEKING OPEN OFFICE SPACE – A national search for a customer operations center has been narrowed to Volusia County and two other Southeast U.S. locations. Working with this national consultant, the county’s Department of Economic Development is seeking to identify every option for a 20,000- to 35,000-square-foot open office facility in a single story or ground floor facility capable of supporting up to 280 existing parking spaces. If you know of a facility meeting these minimum requirements and would like to have the location presented for consideration, please contact Doug Vimmerstedt, project manager, at (386) 248-8048 or by email at dvimmerstedt@co.volusia.fl.us. 

NEED HELP WITH YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? – The Florida Trend guide to starting and growing a small business, “Florida Small Business,” offers no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point articles. Learn how-to directions, sound ideas and small business success stories to help small businesses operate effectively and profitably. Learn more at http://floridatrend.com/small_biz.asp. 

MANUFACTURING EFFICIENCY – The Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a nationwide public-private partnership that provides innovative solutions and cost-saving programs for manufacturers. Locally, the MEP has helped Sparton Electronics, Crane Cams and Precision Engineered and other companies with lean manufacturing, performance-based training, supply chain management and innovation planning. To learn more about how the MEP can help your manufacturing operations, contact Paul Mitchell, business specialist, at (386) 248-8048. 

DAYTONA BEACH MOVES TO EXPAND AIRPORT BROWNFIELD – The City of Daytona Beach has scheduled two public meetings for August as steps toward expanding the existing Florida Brownfield designation for areas near Daytona Beach International Airport. Areas being considered for inclusion within the Brownfield include commercial and industrial properties north of International Speedway Boulevard (ISB) from Williamson Boulevard north to Mason Avenue and east to Bill France. Also being considered are commercial properties on the north side of ISB from Bill France Boulevard east to Clyde Morris. If designated, property owners within the Brownfield will be eligible for state tax credits for any future required clean-up of any unknown environmental contamination that may exist within zone, and additional employment incentives for new job creation. Further economic benefits include a sales tax exemption for any developer seeking to construct affordable housing. To learn more about the city’s efforts, contact Emory Counts, Daytona Beach Economic Development at (386) 405-1952. 

FUEL PRICES IS CHANGING BEHAVIOR – Soaring prices at gas pump are changing consumer behavior across the state, motivating Floridians to cut back on fuel consumption. With gas prices now topping $4, consumption has decreased every month this year except March, a rate that, if continued, represents millions of fewer miles driven on Florida's highways. Americans drove 20 billion fewer miles on public roads between January and April – a 1.8-percent overall decline – though the decrease was even greater in Florida. In April, for example, estimated travel on Florida roads was down nearly 700,000 miles – a 3.5-percent reduction since April 2007.

SCHOOLS ARE GETTING BETTER GRADES – Florida has more schools earning A's and B's than ever before. A total of 2,889 schools were graded this year resulting in nearly three quarters (2,125) considered to be high performing (receiving either an A or B grade). The number of schools considered low performing decreased significantly with 764 schools, or 20-percent earning a C; 5-percent earning a D; and 2-percent earning an "F", resulting in major improvement over the past several years. For more information, go to http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/. 

MANAGE YOUR HOME OFFICE – Attend a free seminar on how to make home offices work from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Disney Entrepreneur Center, Orlando. Tips and tricks will be offered, plus pitfalls to avoid with regard to operating successfully from home. Call (407) 420-4848 for more information or to register.

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.