Monday - Nov. 10, 2008

Q4 COMMUNITY ECONOMIC BRIEFING NOV. 14 – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development will conduct an economic briefing to business, banking, education and local government leaders at 7:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14 in the Volusia Room at the Daytona Beach International Airport. The briefing will highlight the area’s most recent employment trends; commercial and residential building activities; and foreclosure data for July, August and September. A buffet breakfast will be available. Seating is limited to the first 120 registrants. To register, contact the Department of Economic Development at (386) 248-8048 no later than Tuesday, Nov. 11.

CANADIAN COMPANY SEEKS SITE IN VOLUSIA COUNTY – A company that provides transportation services is looking for 10,000 square feet of space in Volusia County with parking space for trucks up to 48 feet long. If you know of a facility that can be included in a proposal to be submitted to the company, please contact John Kizer, Volusia County Department of Economic Development, at (386) 248-8048, or via e-mail at jkizer@co.volusia.fl.us. 

BLACK GOLD IN VOLUSIA COUNTY? – You bet! Oil and natural gas production currently is generating more than $4 million annually. In addition, the stone and soil quarrying generates an estimated $100 million annually.

MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT FOR THE DISABLED – A diverse workforce of more than 200 people allows Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare to provide local manufacturers cost savings and effective ways to perform light manufacturing, packaging and assembly. All personnel and property risks are bonded and insured. In addition, partnering with nonprofits opens new markets utilizing federal set aside opportunities. To find out if you can take advantage of these unique opportunities, call Ron Giampietro at (386) 236-3237 or e-mail rgiampie@smabehavioral.org.

HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN TAIWAN – Join the World Trade Center Orlando from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Citrus Club in Orlando for a networking luncheon and presentation highlighting business prospects and practices in one of the fastest growing countries in the world: Taiwan. To reserve your seat, please contact Mandy Ray at (407) 649-1899 or e-mail mandyray@worldtradecenterorlando.org. The cost for the event is $45.

CANADIAN FIRM EXPANDING – A Canadian firm specializing in the processing of glass – bending, drilling and grinding – has expressed interest in Northeast Florida as a potential business location. The company seeks to lease approximately 14,000 square feet. If you have or know of a building suitable for this operation, and would like the property included in a proposal, please contact Rob Ehrhardt, Volusia County Department of Economic Development, at (386) 248-8048 or e-mail rehrhardt@co.volusia.fl.us.

WE LOVE OUR ENERGY – Americans make up 5 percent of the world's population, yet consume 26 percent of the world's energy. The United States uses approximately 15 times more energy per person than the typical developing country, and spends about $440 billion annually for energy. Annually, energy costs U.S. consumers $200 billion and U.S. manufacturers $100 billion.

FOCUS ON GRADUATION – Among industrialized nations, the United States is the only country in which today’s young people are less likely than their parents to have earned a high school diploma. Nationally, one of every four high school students fails to graduate on time. “At a time when most middle-class jobs require more than just a high school education, many states seem willing to accept remarkably high dropout rates,” said Anna Habash, policy analyst at the Education Trust and author of the report. “It’s as if policymakers haven’t gotten the message that knowledge and skills matter more than ever, not just for young people, but for their states’ economies, and even for our national security.”

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.