October 12, 2009

‘VOLUSIA GROWN’ GOES TO AMSTERDAM – A group of 27 growers and experts from Volusia County, dubbed “Volusia Grown Horticulture,” is in Amsterdam this week at the world’s largest horticulture exposition, Horti Fair. The group is the largest American delegation ever to visit Amsterdam for this event. The visit is being sponsored by the Volusia County Department of Economic Development (DOED), Enterprise Florida, the U.S. Commercial Service and the U.S. Embassy. Mission activities include one-on-one sales meetings with potential importers, site tours and briefings with key Dutch traders and experts. Delegates will measure the mission’s success by in-hand and expected sales, trade leads, market exposure and follow-up visits by buyers. The mission is funded by a $60,000 grant from Enterprise Florida. Each participating grower will be reimbursed $2,000 toward the cost of the trip, and additional expenses are being covered by the delegation members. To find out how DOED can help you export, call Paul Mitchell at (386) 248-8048.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF NEW JOBS – Did you know key economic impact information is available on a regional basis? The jobs multiplier for the state, using numbers developed by NASA, indicates that each direct on-site job is multiplied into as many as 2.8 total jobs throughout the Florida economy. This represents the direct job itself plus 1.8 jobs that were generated through the indirect economic process. The Florida income multiplier (also per NASA) indicates that each dollar of direct wages that was paid by NASA resulted in $1.87 of total income in the state. Volusia County, through the Department of Economic Development, provided incentives for 965 new and retained jobs in the last year. The job multiplier would indicate an additional 1.8 jobs for every job created and retained, or more than 1,700 jobs in addition to the 965. The income multiplier would indicate that a total annual payroll of about $35 million would result in approximately $65 million of annual income. The performance incentive cost to Volusia County would be $543,000, or a ratio of $120 of income for every $1 invested by the county.

CELEBRATION IN SOUTHWEST VOLUSIA – The expanded Deltona Regional Library and its new neighbors - the Lyonia Environmental Center and the Deltona Amphitheater - will be unveiled to the public during grand opening festivities from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The library, which has been closed for renovation since May 2008, has been doubled in size to accommodate Deltona’s growing population. The $11 million project also includes a 1,000-seat amphitheater and an environmental center, where visitors can explore Volusia County’s ecosystems.

80-PERCENT SALARY SUBSIDY – By Nov. 1, the Center for Business Excellence (CBE) expects to receive confirmation of funding for the Subsidized Temporary Employment Program (STEP) – program which will subsidize 80 percent of the salary of eligible talent in job-training positions. Two hundred fifty subsidies are available to 50 businesses. Send a completed application and job description to the CBE before the end of business, Friday, Oct. 16. Details are at http://tinyurl.com/cbestep or you may call (386) 323-7079 to learn more.

STETSON RANKED AMONG THE BEST – Stetson University’s School of Business Administration is included in “The Best 301 Business Schools: 2010 Edition,” released this week by The Princeton Review. The ranking is based, in part, on a survey of 19,000 students, and includes a profile on Stetson’s School of Business Administration, which highlights information about academics, student life, the admissions process, statistical data and career placement services. Students praised Stetson’s small class sizes, accessible and supportive faculty, modern facilities and global perspective.

HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY PERSPECTIVES – Professionals will exam the impact of a Florida ballot referendum that would require voter approval of all future land use comprehensive plan amendments at a program from 9:30 a.m. - noon Friday, Oct. 16. Sponsored by VCARD (Volusia County Association for Responsible Development), the event will be at the Indigo Lakes Banquet Center, 312 Indigo Drive, Daytona Beach. Cost is $30 per person and includes lunch. To reserve a seat, contact Gail Miller at (386) 255-0981, ext. 229, or e-mail gail@daytonachamber.com.

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.
 

Department of Economic Development
700 Catalina Drive, Suite 200, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Telephone: 386-248-8048   FAX: 386 238-4761   Toll Free: 800-554-3801