Monday – September 29, 2008

CUSTOM CAR MANUFACTURER SEEKS SITE -- A manufacturer of custom automobiles is considering Volusia County for a future operations site. The company needs 20,000 square feet of light manufacturing space. If you have or know of a location that is not in the real estate database at www.floridabusiness.org please contact John Kizer, Volusia County Department of Economic Development, at 386/248-8048. Your info will be forwarded to the company.

LOWER LOCAL COSTS ARE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES – Many of the relocation economic incentives offered by Volusia County are in the form of business savings from energy, labor, logistical costs and real estate taxes as compared to a prospect’s current locations in many of the northern states or south Florida.

FLORIDA CORPORATIONS WEBSITE OFFERS WEALTH OF INFORMATION -- The Florida Division of Corporations website allows users to search and access information for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, trade marks, fictitious name registrations, and liens. Images of most filed documents can be downloaded free and to make the filing process easier, forms can be downloaded. The address is www.sunbiz.org. Electronic filing and certification can be processed through Sunbiz and help information is accessible for all filing types.

LATIN AMERICA FOCUS OF BUSINESS CONVENTION -- The 18th Annual Retail Commerce Congress of the Americas will host hundreds of business executives and dignitaries from Latin America and the United States. The Retail Commerce Congress will be at the Tampa Convention Center November 20 - 22. Business delegations will meet with Florida companies interested in establishing business ties. For information and registration go on-line to: http://www.ushccretailersconference.com/

WHAT TIME IS IT? -- Until the 19th century most communities used local solar time. When the sun passed overhead clocks were set to noon. As railroads began to connect different places, each railroad developed its own time standard. By 1883, U.S. railroads operated with 53 time standards, creating confusion particularly in cities where several railroads met. It wasn't until an international conference in 1884 that the meridian passing through Greenwich, England, was selected as the standard for the creation of 24 time zones.

HIGHWAY ACCESS KEY TO SITE SELECTORS -- The most important criteria for real estate site selectors is highway access. Highway access ranks higher than the cost and availability of labor and energy. Despite the time and expense it takes to construct highways, they remain a fundamental corporate concern in facility location decisions. To learn more, go to: http://www.areadevelopment.com/corpSurveySeries/aug08/highway-accessibility-location-decision.shtml

PASS THE WORD ABOUT A RELOCATION TO VOLUSIA COUNTY -- Do you know out-of-state business owners that are frustrated with their current business location? Have those individuals expressed a desire to reduce costs and find a stable, well trained workforce? If these owners might be interested in learning more about the benefits of doing business in Volusia County contact Rob Ehrhardt, Volusia County Department of Economic Development, at 386/248-8048, or email him at Rehrhardt@co.volusia.fl.us.

IMPACT FEES FOCUS OF CONFERENCE -- The 2008 National Impact Fee Roundtable (NIFR) conference will address a wide variety of topics about impact fees. The conference will be October 8-10 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee. Founded in Florida, NIFR is the only nonprofit national forum that attracts experts, academicians, planners and government practitioners from across the U.S. For program details go to http://www.impactfee.org.

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.