Mission: To generate sustained economic growth of the county by encouraging new investment, and creation of value added full-time employment, while maintaining the area's abundant natural and man-made resources.

The Opportunities
The County's Economic Development staff regularly interacts with numerous public and private entities in seeking out sustainable or "green" development opportunities. At present, Economic Development is engaged with a business owner or consultant on two such prospects.

1. An in-state company
A manufacturer of energy efficient lighting products for new construction and retrofit applications is proposing a 150,000 sq. ft. facility with room for a 100,000 sq ft expansion. Initially, the company specialized in manufacturing highly polished aluminum reflectors, used in conjunction with electronic ballasts and T8 lamps, to retrofit older and inefficient fluorescent lighting fixtures. As a result of extensive research and development and industry feedback, the firm integrated their reflector technologies into a completely new fluorescent fixture product line. Their products are made to maximize energy savings and to qualify for rebate programs and Energy Policy Act deductions with the following facts in mind:

•Lighting in commercial and industrial buildings accounts for up to 50% of America’s $75 billion dollar lighting bill.
•Less than 20% of the 70 billion square feet of America’s commercial floor space has been upgraded with energy efficient lighting products.
•Average lighting renovations pay for themselves in 2.5 years, with a 40% return on investment.

The company would initially provide 140 jobs with the potential for an additional 60 jobs with the planned expansion.

2. An out-of-state company
This firm is seeking a 30 acre site for construction of a facility to convert cellulose to synthetic diesel. The current project information calls for a 170,000 square foot, build-to-suit building with 120,000 square feet of production space, 40,000 square feet of warehouse space and 10,000 square feet of office. The ideal site will be located within 20 miles of an Interstate highway or major State road to facilitate incoming transport of raw material and outgoing movement of finished goods. Significant benefits from this opportunity include a capital investment approaching $50,000,000 in addition to long term, above-average salaries for an estimated 180 skilled/semi-skilled workers and 20 college-level supervisory/administrative positions. Sites from across Volusia County are being considered in order to leverage key strengths such as the County's qualified workforce and the large percentage of woodland, hay or straw producing acreage.