VMA PURCHASING CONSORTIUM – The Volusia Manufacturers
Association (VMA) has started a new initiative. VMA members are
combining to lower costs for logistics, raw material, production buys
and MRO's (maintenance, repair and other materials – items bought that
support manufacturing, but do not go into the part). The first step is
working on logistics and lowering the cost of getting products to
customers. To find out more about this initiative and the VMA, contact
Jayne Fifer at 386-673-0505 or via e-mail at
jayne.fifer@VMAonline.com.
SBA 504 LOAN INTEREST RATE DROPS – Florida First Capital
Finance Corporation has announced that interest rates for SBA 504 loans
have dropped to an effective 6.14 percent for fully fixed and amortized
20-year loans. The loan can include most fees. Eligible projects under
the 504 program include for-profit small businesses desiring to purchase
real estate and improvements, construct new or renovate existing
facilities, and/or purchase long-life machinery and equipment. A local
lender funds 50 percent of the total loan, with the SBA loan subordinate
and up to 40 percent of the total. Borrowers are required to have a
minimum 10-percent equity. For more information, contact Jerry Mayes at
321-689-6006 or via e-mail
jerry@ffcfc.com.
INDUSTRIAL MARKET IS “ROCK SOLID” – Most analysts expect
Florida’s industrial market to outperform the office sector in 2008.
“Almost every metric -- occupancy, rental rates, trends, absorption and
leasing activity -- is rock solid across the state,” said Larry Richey
of Cushman & Wakefield, a national real estate firm. “The future for
warehouse and distribution space in Florida is brighter than ever
because of the outlook for changes in the global supply chain that will
bring more international goods directly to our seaports.” With its
population growth and demand for goods, Florida is consistently one of
the best performing states.
FLORIDA WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION RATES DROP – With the 18.4
percent average rate reduction that became effective Jan. 1, Florida's
workers compensation average rate of $2.34 per $100 of payroll ranks
among the lowest in the country. It ranks 45th out of the 50 states and
the District of Columbia.
BASIC MACHINING TRAINING – The Center for Business and
Industry at Daytona Beach College has announced an eight-week training
program for basic machining skills. This course will be conducted at the
Advanced Technology College. This introductory program provides training
in machine tool operation where participants will learn to use lathes,
mills, grinders, saws and precision measuring tools. Blueprint reading
also will be covered. For more information or to make a reservation,
call (386) 506-4224.
SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY GRANTS AVAILABLE – Over $2 billion
in Small Business Innovation Research Grants will be awarded to
innovative small and startup technology companies this year. The DaVinci
Program, a partnership between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
(ERAU) and the Volusia County Department of Economic Development (DOED),
can assist in developing grant proposals to Volusia County companies.
ERAU provides the assistance of their varied academic departments in
writing the proposal, and DOED will assist in funding the cost of
writing the proposal. To find out more about this unique program,
contact Paul Mitchell at 386-248-8048.
TECHNOLOGY SALES FOR START-UPS – You have created great
technology. But, can you sell it? Many think that having a great
business idea and great technology is the key to launching a successful
start-up. No matter what your product or service is, you are in the
sales business and your main focus is generating revenue. The UCF
Orlando Technology Incubator is offering a seminar from 3 - 5 p.m.,
Thursday, Jan. 24, addressing these issues. Contact Renee Ayala at
407-882-0202 or via e-mail at
rayala@mail.ucf.edu.
GROWING DEMAND FOR PILOTS – The aviation industry is facing a
crisis where demand for pilots could soon outstrip supply. More than
30,000 pilots will reach mandatory retirement age in the next 10 years.
Aviation-industry officials predict the need for as many as 18,000 new
pilots annually through 2024. That is likely to strain the existing
network of flight schools and aeronautical universities that prepare the
next generation of pilots.
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
