July 27, 2009

IS BIOFUEL TOO THIRSTY? – Excitement is building over the potential for large-scale biofuel production in Florida. But a new study by forestry researchers raises an important question: Does Florida have enough water to supply thirsty energy crops? A recent study found that corn, sugarcane, sweet sorghum and pine all yielded net energy, meaning they are viable for replacing fossil fuels. But, the study also concludes that ramping up production enough to meet U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act mandates for renewable fuels by 2022 “would have significant effects on land use and water resources.” See the report in Global Change Biology magazine, or visit www.waterinstitute.ufl.edu/research.

TECHNOLOGY TRAINING CLASS – The Southeast Volusia (SEV) Chamber of Commerce will offer class No. 7 in their technology series Friday, Aug. 7. This class, "Tying it all together,” will discuss small business servers, software as a service and using technology to help your business grow. Cost is $10 for chamber members and $20 for nonmembers. To register, call the SEV Chamber at (386) 428-2449.

ADMINISTER OATHS, PERFORM MARRIAGES! – Daytona State College now offers a three-hour online Notary Public course for notaries and notary renewal. Students must be 18 or older, a Florida resident and fluent in English. Fees include course, state required bond, notary stamp and Florida Notary Log book for $99. For more information or to register, visit www.dbcc.cc.fl.us/cbi/financialservices.html.

COSTA DEL MAR BUYS CARBON OFFSETS – Costa Del Mar, a manufacturer of polarized sunglasses, has offset the carbon emissions associated with the generation of electricity used at its Daytona Beach headquarters through the purchase of 422,896 kilowatt hours of renewable energy credits. The company also purchased carbon offsets to balance the carbon emissions created through its employees' business travel, including air and ground transportation. Collectively, this will help prevent up to 1.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the earth's atmosphere, according to Costa Del Mar officials. The carbon offsets, sometimes called “renewable energy credits,” are created by generating power through wind, solar, hydro-electric and biomass sources and serve as an incentive to invest in generating energy through renewable sources.

EXPORTS INCREASE 42 PERCENT – The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration recently reported the value of nonagricultural exports from Volusia County in 2007 was $272,982,451. This represents an increase of $80,319,995 (41.7 percent) since 2005. Agricultural and natural resource exports increased to $293 million in 2007. Of the agricultural exports, $175 million (75 percent) were horticultural products.

NEW SMYRNA WOUND CARE – A new state-of-the-art Wound Care Center is operational in New Smyrna Beach. The center is a collaborative venture between Bert Fish Medical Center and Diversified Clinical Services, the latter of which is based in Jacksonville. The bariatric chambers at the Wound Care Center will allow physicians to treat aggressively chronic wound conditions in people with diabetes and other vascular problems. Hospital officials say the half-million dollar project at 600 Palmetto Street provided construction jobs for more than a dozen people and upon completion the center has required four new full-time and one part-time positions.

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES – Covered nonexempt workers are entitled to a minimum wage of no less than $7.25 per hour, effective July 24. Overtime pay at a rate no less than 1.5 times the regular rate of pay is required after 40 hours of work in a workweek. For more information, go to www.dol.gov/esa/whd/flsa/#min.

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.