Monday – August 4, 2008

DISTRIBUTION SPACE NEEDED – A distribution client is looking for a 20,000-square-foot warehouse with outside storage and 2,000 to 3,000 square feet of office space. The preferred site will require three acres, a 22-foot building ceiling height, and grade-high dock doors. If you know of a site, please contact John Kizer, Volusia County Department of Economic Development, at (386) 248-8048 or by e-mail at jkizer@co.volusia.fl.us. Information will be forwarded to the client for its review and follow up.

PLAN TO ATTEND THE Q3 COMMUNITY ECONOMICS BRIEFING – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development will be briefing business, banking, education and local government leaders at 7:45 a.m. Friday, August 8, in the Volusia Room on the second level of Daytona Beach International Airport. The briefing will highlight the area’s employment trends, commercial and residential building activities and residential foreclosure rates for April, May and June. The seating for this event is limited to 120 registrants. To register, please call the Department of Economic Development at (386) 248-8048 prior to Wednesday, Aug. 6.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER OFFERING NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM – A new program called the FastTrac© GrowthVenture is designed to provide entrepreneurs with the skills needed to expand an existing enterprise. It includes practical hands-on workshops with the participants working on their own ideas and ventures. The Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College is offering this program in September for entrepreneurs who want to take their business to the next level. The program is limited to 12 executives. For additional information, please call Nancy Franssen at (386) 506-4723.

LOOKING TO REDUCE THE COST OF FREIGHT? – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership Program creates market-based incentives that can result in reduced vehicle maintenance and increased engine life expectancy. By 2012, the SmartWay Program aims to save between 3.3 and 6.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel per year. For more information, go online to http://www.epa.gov/smartway/transport/basic-information/index.htm.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE – Volusia businesses can take advantage of workforce training grants, lean manufacturing, utilization of new technology, financing through Industrial Revenue Bonds and SBA programs, assistance with exporting and developing new markets, utilizing new technology, and business education programs. To learn more about these programs, please contact the Volusia County Department of Economic Development Business Specialist Paul Mitchell at (386) 248-8048 or via e-mail at pmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us. Information also is available on the department’s web site at www.floridabusiness.org.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MISSION TO PANAMA – A trade mission sponsored by the U.S. Commercial Service will be October 26 - 29 in the Panama Free Trade Zone in Colon, Panama. Participation in the mission will include a series of business-to-business sales meetings with potential buyers matched to companies’ needs. The Panama Canal Authority and other government agencies acquire more than $300 million dollars a year in goods and services. The Free Trade Zone in Colon handles more than $15 billion dollars annually. For more information about participating in this mission, please contact George Martinez at (727) 893-3738, via e-mail at George.Martinez@mail.doc.gov or visit www.buyusa.gov/florida/panama_mission.html.

NEW INSURERS EQUAL LOWER RATES – At least 14 new Florida-based property insurers are offering something rare in today's economy – lower prices. Premium rates for homeowners' insurance have dropped statewide by an average of 15 percent during the past 12 months due to the increased competition and a 2007 state law that required all insurers to lower rates. Before you renew, check the competition to save money!

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.