Monday – June 2, 2008

MANUFACTURER SEEKS FLORIDA LOCATION – An environmentally friendly manufacturing company from Costa Rica that manufactures energy-saving insulation is seeking to purchase or lease approximately 20,000 square feet of warehouse, production and office space. The company requires direct access to rail and is asking to review all eligible real estate options in Volusia County. Company executives expect to finalize their site selection in July or August. If you have or know of a property that meets these requirements, please contact John Kizer at the Volusia County Department of Economic Development (DOED) at (386) 248-8048 or by e-mail at jkizer@co.volusia.fl.us. Your property and direct contact information will be included with DOED’s proposal to the company. Follow-up will be conducted by the company or its representatives. The deadline for all local responses is June 13.

SELF-EMPLOYED HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT – Self-employed Floridians can apply for health insurance through an open-enrollment period this August. Coverage begins Oct. 1. Small employers like sole proprietors, independent contractors or self-employed individuals, are eligible even if they have only one employee who qualifies for coverage. Guaranteed issue means that insurers, including HMOs and health savings accounts, must offer coverage without regard to health status. A list of insurance companies offering coverage is posted on the Florida Department of Financial Services Web site. Go to fldfs.com/Consumers/ and look for the link to “small group market carriers.”

AVOID SALES TAX – Planning to buy production equipment in 2008? If so, you could be exempt from paying sales tax. According to information from the Florida Dept. of Revenue, posted at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/tips/tip06a01-06.html, qualified expanding businesses can receive a tax exemption permit and instructions on how to apply for a refund of previously paid taxes. This refund applies to qualifying machinery and equipment acquired in 2007.

FUNDING TO INVEST IN INNOVATION – In a move to signal Florida's intent to spur innovation, new legislation allows nearly $2 billion in state pension funds to be invested in high-technology and growth industries within the state, such as biotechnology and green energy. The legislation also doubled – to $18.4 billion – the amount of other state moneys that can be placed in alternative investments, which include private equity, venture capital and hedge funds. The new legislation is designed to attract and develop high-wage industries throughout Florida.

SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTS – In the United States, almost 97 percent of all exporters are small businesses. Of those, roughly 65 percent have fewer than 20 employees. To learn more about what opportunities may exist in the global market for small businesses, visit www.export.gov. To learn more about exporting initiatives sponsored by the Volusia County Department of Economic Development, contact Paul Mitchell, international business specialist, at (386) 248-8048.

VOLUSIA COUNTY EXPORTS EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES – Volusia County companies posted an impressive increase of 38.8 percent in the exports value of locally manufactured goods and services. Total documented exports for area companies rose to $267,560,830 in 2006. This amount was up from $192,662,456 in 2005. Leading the list of locally manufactured products was automotive-related manufactured goods at $82 million, followed by electronic products at $38.6 million and machinery at $37 million. According to the Volusia County Economic Development Department, Volusia County companies are exporting to more than 120 countries worldwide.

HURRICANE RETROFIT AND HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDES AVAILABLE – Sunday, June 1, marks the beginning of hurricane season. The "Hurricane Retrofit Guide" is a state publication designed to help citizens learn how to protect their homes against the winds and rains of hurricanes. The guide provides tips for protecting roofs, windows, porches and garage doors. To access the guide, visit www.floridadisaster.org/mitigation/rcmp/strengthen/Tutorial/ or contact the Florida Department of Emergency Management at (850) 413-9816. Locally, Volusia County Emergency Management has Disaster Preparedness Guides available beginning Sunday, June 1, in hard copy at Volusia County libraries and online at www.volusia.org/storm with information in English and Spanish.

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