ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BRIEFING – On Feb. 6, the Volusia County
Department of Economic Development hosted the first of four quarterly
briefings presenting statistics it compiles on the county’s labor force,
wages, unemployment figures and real estate permit activity.
Approximately 40 professionals from manufacturing, banking, real estate,
education and government were welcomed for breakfast by County Chair
Frank Bruno. Chair Bruno stressed the importance of monitoring the
economic indicators and trends that affect the region.
TRADE MISSION FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES – The US Commercial
Service in the United Kingdom and Italy, in association the National
Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) will be hosting a Trade
Mission to London and Milan April 12 - 18. This mission will offer
market exposure and business opportunities for women-owned U.S.
companies to meet prospective representatives, distributors and
partners. Companies from all sectors are encouraged to apply. For more
information, go to http://www.nawbo.org/content_902.cfm or contact
Nyamusi Igambi, U.S. Commercial Service Houston, (281) 449-9423 or
nyamusi.igambi@mail.doc.gov.
HOW’S BUSINESS? – There’s more good news from the Volusia
Manufacturers Association. Hudson Technologies is looking for growth of
15 - 20 percent in 2008 and will be adding staff. AIP recently completed
a 50-percent plant expansion and had the best year in its 24 years of
operation. Microflex had a very good 2007 and is looking for a better
2008 with increasing sales. And, Miller Leaman reports 2007 as a record
year. Let us know how you business is doing and how the Volusia County
Department of Economic Development can help with training, exporting and
financing. Call Paul Mitchell at (386) 248-8048.
GREEN ROOFS SAVE MONEY! – Take advantage of a green roof system –
roofs that have plants growing in a layer of soil. Installations cut
capital expenditures on roof repair, significantly reduce cooling costs
and reduce stormwater runoff. Green roofs can double or even triple the
life of roof membranes. The temperature of a green roof is about 10
degrees Fahrenheit cooler on a sunny day, and as much as 50 to 60
Fahrenheit degrees cooler than nearby black rubber surface roofs, and
can reduce energy demand by up to 75 percent. A green roof also leads to
improved air quality. Find more information at
www.greengridroofs.com.
DOLLARS & SENSE – Daytona Beach College is hosting a seminar on
record-keeping essentials at the DeLand campus from 6 - 9 pm. Tuesday,
Feb.19. Taught by accounting professionals, this workshop includes
records management, financial statements, improving cash flow and
selecting an accountant. Call (386) 506-4723 to register.
FOURTH QUARTER BUILDING PERMIT DATA AVAILABLE – The Volusia
County Department of Economic Development has released data collected
from the city and county permitting offices for the fourth quarter of
2007. The total value of commercial permits for 2007 was $334,547,163
compared to $341,459.048 in 2006, $231,071,826 in 2005 and $255,503,253
in 2004. Residential activity declined in 2007, with 1,938 residential
permits issued compared to 3,463 permits in 2006. However, the average
residential permit value increased in 2007 to $255,834 per unit compared
to $223,721 in 2006 and $188,619 in 2005. The complete report will be
available at
www.floridabusiness.org.
FLORIDA VENTURE CAPITAL INCREASES – According to a recently
released study by the "Money Tree Report," venture capital firms
invested $608 million in 63 Florida companies in 2007. These investments
are almost double the $319 million that was invested in Florida during
2006.
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
