September 28, 2009
HOUSEHOLD WEALTH GREW IN SECOND QUARTER! – According to the
Federal Reserve, Americans got a little wealthier in the second quarter
of 2009. It’s the first such report in two years. Household wealth grew
this spring by $2 trillion, or about 4 percent, ending the longest
stretch of quarterly declines since 1952.
VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION PLANS BUSY OCTOBER – If you’re
a manufacturer or distributor, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to
learn and network in the coming month. The VMA programs can be found at
www.VMAonline.com/events,
and the lineup includes programs on inventory practices and human
resources. And don’t miss the Annual Awards Banquet Oct. 22. The plant
tour will be Oct. 29 at Sea Ray Boats, Palm Coast. Come out and support
Volusia County’s largest manufacturers association.
VETS AND ACTIVE MILITARY RECEIVE PROTECTION – The Housing and
Economic Recovery Act of 2008 lengthens the time (to nine months) a
lender must wait before starting foreclosure procedures after a soldier
returns from service; allows for a one-year relief from increases in
adjustable mortgage rates; requires the Department of Defense to
establish a counseling program for veterans and active duty service
members; and increases the Veteran’s Administration home loan-guarantee
amount. For details on other benefits for veterans or active military
personnel, and to find a list of county Veteran Services Offices around
the state, go online to
www.floridavets.org/organization/cvso.pdf.
WELL-BEING INDEX – As reported in the Wall Street Journal,
business owners outrank 10 other occupational groups in overall
well-being, based on a landmark survey of 100,826 working adults. The
Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index is a composite measure of six
criteria of contentment, including emotional and physical health, job
satisfaction, healthy behavior, access to basic needs and self-reports
of overall life quality. The 11 occupational categories surveyed also
included farmers and sales, clerical, construction, installation and
service workers.
VOLUSIA COLLEGES RANK HIGH – Stetson University and Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University retained their high rankings in the 2010 U.S.
News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition. At the
master's level, Stetson is ranked third among the South's top regional
universities – the same ranking it had last year. Stetson also finished
third in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category. Among schools
offering master's level degrees, Embry-Riddle retained its No. 1 ranking
in aerospace engineering, and was ranked 12th overall in engineering.
Bethune-Cookman University tied for 32nd among American's Best Black
Colleges. Last year, it was in a three-way tie for 33rd place.
CONSUMER ENERGY TAX BREAKS – Go to
www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm for a U.S. Department of Energy summary
of many of the tax credits available to consumers. See the ENERGY STAR®
page on Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency for more details on
federal incentives, and the Database of State Incentives for Renewables
and Efficiency (DSIRE) for information on federal, state, local, and
utility incentives. For example, consumers who purchase and install
specific products in existing homes – such as energy-efficient windows,
insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment – can
receive a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500 for
improvements "placed in service" made between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31,
2010.
BUSINESS ACTIVITY RESEARCH –
YourEconomy.org is a free research tool that allows visitors to take
a closer look at business activity across the country. On this site,
visitors can look at local and state business formation, state rankings
and business activity over time. The site also tracks resident or
in-state-based business activity as a category, and those headquartered
outside a state. It also offers a helpful user’s guide and a glossary of
terms.
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.
