Monday, Dec. 15, 2008

REAL ESTATE COMMISSION KICK OFF – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development hosted a luncheon for nearly 40 area real estate professionals last week to kick off the county’s real estate commission program, which was approved recently by the Volusia County Council. Information packets containing marketing materials about available industrial properties and registration forms were provided for the DeLand Crossings Industrial Park along I-4 near DeLand. Staff shared a presentation about the county’s business attraction program, the process for handling business inquiries and a list of current business prospects. If you are a Volusia County commercial realtor and would like to participate in the real estate commission program, please call Phil Ehlinger at (386) 248-8048.

VOLUSIA COUNTY HONORS SCORE – Volusia County honored the volunteers of SCORE, counselors to America’s small businesses, at a Dec. 12 luncheon sponsored by the Economic Development Department. More than 40 volunteers – who counsel those who wish to start businesses or need help with their existing business – were recognized by County Chair Frank Bruno. SCORE contributes thousands of hours each year and performs invaluable services to small businesses in Volusia County – services that are provided without charge. To learn more about SCORE, call (386) 255-6889.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY ONLINE – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development produces an informative quarterly publication, highlighting the business community of Volusia County and contains articles about various sectors of our economy and economic development efforts. “Economic Development Quarterly” is available online on the Economic Development web site, floridabusiness.org. If you're not one of the 10,000 local businesses or citizens who receive this publication, but would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Robbin Sebra at (386) 248-8048.

TOYS FOR TOTS – The mission of this U.S. Marine Corps Reserve initiative is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to underprivileged children in the communities in which the campaigns are conducted. The objectives of the Toys for Tots program include helping needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas and contribute to better communities in the future. For a list of toy drop sites in Volusia County, please contact Andrew Wilber at (386) 676-9056 or go online to www.toysfortots.org/donate/toys-sites.asp. 

FIRST BIOFUEL FLIGHT – Continental Airlines reports it will conduct the first biofuel-powered demonstration flight of a U.S. commercial airliner in Houston Jan. 7. The flight will carry no passengers, and the aircraft will be powered partially by a fuel blend derived from the algae and jatropha plants. The fuel used in one of the 737’s two engines will be a blend of 50-percent traditional jet fuel and 50-percent biofuel, while the other engine will contain jet fuel only.

SEAWATER AIR CONDITIONING – A Hawaiian bank will be the first customer to use a new seawater air-conditioning system. Once completed, the $150 million seawater project is expected to be able to cool 40 of downtown Honolulu’s largest buildings. When the system is fully operational, it will reduce electrical use by 77 million kilowatt hours a year, save 292 million gallons of potable water per year and reduce the production of greenhouse gases by 84,000 tons annually.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OMBUDSMAN – Pedro Leon, business manager for real estate projects for the Volusia County Department of Economic Development, has relocated his office to the county administration building in DeLand to better act as an advocate and ombudsman for economic development projects. His many years as a planner for the City of Orlando and the City of Daytona Beach makes him uniquely qualified to help engineers and builders navigate and expedite the permitting process. If you’re having difficulty in the permitting process or just need advice on navigating the county’s regulations, please contact Leon at (386) 736-2700, ext. 5899, or via e-mail at pleon@co.volusia.fl.us. 

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.