OCEAN DESIGN AWARDED EXPORTER OF THE YEAR – Daytona
Beach-based manufacturer Ocean Design was selected as the 2007 “Exporter
of the Year” by the Volusia Manufacturers Association. The award,
sponsored by the Volusia County Department of Economic Development, is
presented in recognition of outstanding sales performance in the
exporting of locally manufactured products. Ocean Design’s undersea
technology products are used in oil, gas, communications and defense
industries and shipped worldwide. The company has two operational
facilities overseas located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Aberdeen,
Scotland. Exporting sales accounted for more than 40 percent of the
company’s annual revenue. Accepting the award on behalf of Ocean Design
was ODI Vice President Greg Scull.
FLORIDA’S MINIMUM WAGE TO ADJUST JANUARY 1 – Florida's minimum
wage will increase 12 cents per hour beginning the first of the year.
The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation says the $6.79 rate will
start January 1 and is based on an annual consumer price adjustment.
JOB EXPO TO BE HELD IN DAYTONA BEACH – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University will host a job expo Nov. 7-8, 10a.m.-3 p.m., at the
University's ICI Center, 600 South Clyde Morris Boulevard, Daytona
Beach. More than 100 employers in aviation/aerospace, business,
engineering, and high tech firms are scheduled to participate. In
addition, a number of international, national, and regional airlines
also will be seeking qualified applicants. Among the employers scheduled
to participate in this job expo include Boeing, Cessna Aircraft,
Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins, Rolls-Royce, Sikorsky Aircraft, U.S.
Navy, and Volvo Aero Services.
BUSINESS RESOURCES: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR – The Office of
Small Business Programs is available to help employers understand the
DOL rules & regulations. Visit
www.dol.gov/osbp/sbrefa for a wealth of information essential to
avoiding employee problems and answers to the most common questions.
COMMERCIALIZE YOUR INVENTION – Have an invention and want to
learn how to take it to market? The University of Central Florida is
hosting a seminar on Friday, Nov. 9 in Orlando titled "Invention to
Venture". Here's where you can learn how to commercialize research, meet
investors seeking high growth potential companies and businesses seeking
to identify new technology opportunities. For information and online
registration, go to:
www.invention2venture.org/orlando.
THE BRITISH HAVE COME – More than 8,000 homeowners in Central
Florida have primary addresses in the United Kingdom. More than a
million visitors from the UK pour into Central Florida each year, making
it the second top U.S. destination of travelers from Great Britain.
Central Florida is second only to New York City.
VMA HONORS AREA MANUFACTURERS – Griswold Water Systems, South
Daytona, and FloMet, DeLand, were recognized for outstanding
manufacturing “Best Practices” during the Volusia Manufacturers
Association annual awards banquet. Also recognized for outstanding
leadership in local manufacturing were David Lane of Rotomation, Inc.
and Mark McGrane of The Homac Companies. Both Rotomation and The Homac
Companies are located in Ormond Beach.
EUROPEAN MANUFACTURERS SEEKING U.S. LOCATIONS – Due to the
significant changes in the foreign exchange rate, European manufacturers
are seeking manufacturing opportunities in U.S. in growing numbers. This
month alone, the Volusia County Department of Economic Development has
been approached by companies from Holland, Switzerland and Italy. These
discussions are the beginning of new opportunities that may lead to
further investigation by these companies to relocate portions of their
manufacturing needs to serve the U.S. marketplace.
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
