March 2, 2009

BIKE WEEK BONUS – As part of the nation’s economic stimulus bill, buyers will be able to deduct the sales and excise tax at the end of the year when purchasing any new motorcycle. This is a result of communitywide efforts to elevate and promote motorcycles as recognized and viable means of transportation in America’s future. Motorcycles now will be included as "Qualified Vehicles" in section 1008 of the legislation of this tax relief bill. Anyone purchasing a new motorcycle can deduct the sales and excise tax paid on their 2009 tax return.

NEW DBIA CARRIER OFFERS BAHAMAS FLIGHTS – IslandPass LLC has begun offering flights from Daytona Beach International Airport (DBIA) to Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay in the Bahamas. The 19-passenger BAe Jetstream turboprop service to Marsh Harbour will operate Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, while the flights to Treasure Cay will operate Wednesdays and Thursdays. To book a flight, call (386) 492-2984 or visit http://www.flyislandpass.com/.

SBA 504 PROGRAM MORE ATTRACTIVE – The Recovery and Reinvestment Act contains several enhancements that will boost the 504 program's appeal for lenders and borrowers. First, most up-front fees have been eliminated, including the lender participation fee and the certified development company processing fee, which will now be paid directly by the federal government. (This change will reduce upfront borrower costs by $10,000 on a typical 504 loan.) Second, refinancing with a 504 loan is greatly expanded. Third, existing Small Business Administration loans also are eligible and projects that meet certain criteria may be refinanced into a low-rate 504 loan. Finally, the secondary market will be revived by the creation of a 100-percent guarantee on 504 first mortgages. Talk to your banker on how these changes could benefit you.

BEGINNING SPANISH FOR BUSINESS – Daytona State College (DSC) is offering an eight-week beginners’ Spanish course. Learn Spanish to better communicate with Latino customers, vendors, co-workers and employees. Classes will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesdays, March 18 through May 6. The classes will be in building 1, room 209, on the DSC Deltona Campus at 2351 Providence Blvd. Advance registration and pre-payment are required. Course fee is $124. To register or for more information, please call (386) 506-3858 or e-mail ruedl@DaytonaState.edu.

MEDICA 2009 – The premier global Life Sciences/Medical trade show, MEDICA 2009, will be in Dusseldorf, Germany from Nov. 18 - 21. Enterprise Florida is organizing a Florida Pavilion for the 14th consecutive year to showcase the state’s most innovative companies. Last year, MEDICA hosted a record-breaking 4,300 exhibitors and 139,000 visitors from nearly 100 countries. Go to http://www.eflorida.com/newsletter/medica_09.pdf to register. The deadline is March 27.

RECESSION PITFALLS TO AVOID – According to SCORE Florida, business owners should avoid several recession pitfalls: 1) cutting expenses too slowly; 2) maintaining the same product and service mix; 3) reducing marketing instead of focusing on marketing; 4) lacking systems to free up your time; and 5) keeping everything to yourself. Don’t spend all your time working in your business rather than on your business. For more on how SCORE can assist your Volusia County business, contact the local SCORE chapter (in Holly Hill) at (386) 255-6889 or visit www.score87.org.

GREEN CITIES FLORIDA – The national Green Cities event series of interactive seminars and professional training on green business development, products and technology will be inaugurated with the upcoming May 19 - 21 launch of the Green Cities Florida event in Orlando. Of particular relevance to business are the program track “Greening Your Business A-Z” and sessions on green manufacturing and workforce development. To view the program schedule and access more information, visit http://greencities.com/usa/florida/orlando/2009/program.

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.