April 27, 2009

MANUFACTURING SPACE NEEDED – An out-of-state manufacturer is looking for 30 acres of land for construction of a 170,000-square-foot production facility. The site must be within 20 miles of an interstate, highway, or major state highway. If you know of a location that meets these general guidelines, please submit your information to John Kizer, Volusia County Department of Economic Development, at jkizer@co.volusia.fl.us or (386) 248-8048.

DEFENDING FREEDOM EVENT MAY 2-3 – Complete Parachute Systems of DeLand is hosting the 2nd Annual Defending Freedom Event Weekend beginning Friday, May 2, as part of the Wounded Warrior Project. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to military charities. The event will begin with a golf tournament Friday. On Saturday, May 3, Skydive DeLand will host a “Defending Freedom Boogie,” which will include tandem parachute jumps for participants. For more information, contact Tara Rothwell at (386) 736-3862.

EARNINGS DOUBLE FOR CTO – Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. more than doubled its income during 2009’s first quarter, compared to the same period a year ago. First quarter net income was $322,206, or $.06 per basic share, compared with $156,124, or $.03 per basic share, during the first quarter of 2008. Despite having no land closings in the first quarter, the company was able to produce stable revenue through its income property. Daytona Beach-based Consolidated-Tomoka (AMEX: CTO) primarily is engaged in converting company-owned agricultural land into a portfolio of income properties located throughout the Southeast.

SOLAR ENERGY WILL HELP POWER LOCAL SCHOOL – Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) plans to install a solar power system at Hinson Middle School in Daytona Beach to help teach future generations about renewable energy. The solar systems will generate five kilowatts of solar electricity, save the school about $800 annually in electricity costs, and give teachers a way to focus science education on essential energy technologies of the future. The photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electricity, helping to power the school’s lighting and air conditioning systems. Any excess power will be fed into the electrical grid to offset electric costs. The FPL Group Foundation is paying for the installation of the system at the Daytona Beach school and five others.

STETSON UNIVERSITY DEDICATION OF GREEN BUILDING – Stetson University dedicated its Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Environmental Learning Center April 22 (Earth Day). The 2,800-square-foot building, adjacent to the Gillespie Museum on Stetson’s DeLand campus, has a large multipurpose space and two small rooms. It was constructed using “green” design principles. Stetson plans to seek LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the project. Other eco-friendly features include geothermal, rainwater collection and graywater flush systems; a recycled metal roof; wood from certified sustainable forests; low-e glass to cut down on heat glare; and native landscaping. The lead gift for the $770,000 center was provided by the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Foundation, which is based in Palm Beach. Volusia County contributed $325,000 toward the project.

SERVICE CENTER SITE NEEDED – A technology company is seeking information on existing sites that have previously been used as a call center/contact center. The facility must be at least 30,000 square feet and should offer "plug and play" features. If you have or know of a facility that meets this criteria, please call Rob Ehrhardt, Volusia County Economic Development Department, at (386) 248-8048, or e-mail Rehrhardt@co.volusia.fl.us.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX DECLINES – The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, recently released the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for March 2009. The report shows the CPI has decreased 0.4 percent over the last year, the first 12-month decline since August 1955.

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.