Monday – August 18, 2008

2008 SECOND QUARTER BRIEFING – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development (DOED) recently presented a briefing to the business community on economic activity for the second quarter. While the county’s employment data showed a slight downturn, overall employment increased slightly. Construction of new residential units showed a healthy increase from $69 million in the first quarter to $99 million in the second quarter, while commercial and industrial construction activity increased to $114 million in the same period. The full Q3 report can be found on the Volusia County Department of Economic Development’s web site at www.floridabusiness.org. Click on “Statistics/Key Reports.”

WANT TO SELL ON THE INTERNET? – Does your company web site grab your customers’ attention? Is your web site secure? Do you know the top online tools? The Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College is presenting a three-part workshop developed to help small to mid-sized businesses succeed online. The workshops are from 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 9, 16, and 23, at the Mori Hosseini Center, Building 1200, Room 165 (Madorsky Theater), on the Daytona Beach Campus. To register, please call (386) 506-4723.

AO PRECISION RECEIVES EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYER AWARD – The Center for Business Excellence recently presented the Exceptional Employer Award to AO Precision of Daytona Beach. Criteria used to determine the mid-sized company winners are turnover, growth, training, benefits, profit sharing, work environment and retirement programs. AO Precision was one of nine employers receiving this award.

NEW WAVE OF BABY BOOMERS EXPECTED – The Sunshine State is about to boom with Boomers. Between 2010 and 2030, Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964 – are expected to descend on Florida in larger numbers than in the past, and will increase their standing as the state's largest age group. What’s the reason? Boomers are nearing retirement age while the state's housing prices remain affordable as compared to many other parts of the country. But, Florida's climate remains the biggest draw. Boomers accounted for 23 percent of Florida's 15.9 million residents in 2000. In 2010, they will account for 27 percent of the 19.6 million people expected to be living here.

FOOD PROCESSOR NEEDS A HOME – A food processor is looking for an existing 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in southwest Volusia County. If you know of suitable building for lease or for sale, please contact John Kizer, Volusia County DOED at (386) 248-8048 or via e-mail to jkizer@co.volusia.fl.us. Information will be forwarded to the client for review. Follow-up will be directly from the client.

EXPORT FINANCING SOLUTIONS – How do you get paid by overseas clients? Do you know how to include your foreign receivables as collateral for working capital? Do you need tools to cover payment risks of foreign buyers? The Florida District Export Council, (Volusia County Department of Economic Development is a member), is presenting a high-level course for companies actively involved in exporting and needing enhanced solutions to financing export growth and mitigating risk. The program will be from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Disney Entrepreneur Center in Orlando. For the full agenda and registration, please visit www.floridaexporter.com/export301orl.

FLORIDA STILL NO. 1 WITH FOREIGN HOME BUYERS – By far, Florida remains the most popular location for foreign buyers of real estate, accounting for 25.4 percent of all international purchases in the United States. Canadians, aided by a strong Canadian dollar, were the No. 1 group of international buyers, accounting for nearly a quarter of all foreign buyers in the year ending May 2008. That was nearly twice the share the Canadians represented a year earlier. Florida was the choice for 33 percent of all Canadian purchases in the United States. Mexicans, who were the No. 1 group of international buyers last year, dropped to third place, behind the British and Canadians. Forty-two percent of all British buyers chose Florida.

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