Jan. 19, 2009

CANADIAN MANUFACTURER CHOOSES VOLUSIA LOCATION – According to the latest news from the Volusia County Department of Economic Development, the Ultimate Seat Company of Toronto, Canada has selected a location near Destination Daytona for its U.S. manufacturing and sales facility. Ultimate manufactures seats for custom motorcycles and after-market seats for production motorcycles. The Volusia County Council approved a performance-based tax refund incentive in December that leveraged a total of $45,000 from the state in support of this international relocation. The incentive will be used to create a minimum of 15 new jobs in the greater Ormond Beach area.

STATE LOTTERY BENEFITS VOLUSIA SCHOOLS – More than $432.3 million has been dedicated to Volusia County Schools and students since the beginning of the Florida Lottery in 1987. Nearly $66 million has been provided for school construction, $54.5 million for Bright Future college scholarships, and $311.9 million for general education. In 2007, the Florida Lottery contributed a total of $17.84 million to Volusia County education. Kindergarten through grade 12 education received $5.86 million and Daytona State College received $11.98 million.

BE LEAN IN ’09 – Join the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (FL MEP) Jan. 27 as it partners with Daytona State Collage and the Volusia Manufacturers Association to present a one-day interactive workshop on the principles of lean manufacturing. If your company's 2009 goals include improving inventory levels, overall quality, on-time delivery performance, productivity, or lowering costs, this unique hands-on simulation workshop will help. Contact Paula Heiret, FL MEP, at (407) 473-3429 or register online at www.floridamep.org. Seats are limited and advance registration is required.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE LEADS – Volusia manufacturers, distributors, exporters, and professional services providers can connect with companies from around the world through the Enterprise Florida International Trade Leads program. Enterprise Florida identifies and qualifies foreign companies interested in sourcing goods and services, creating export opportunities for Florida companies. To view the leads, go to http://www.eflorida.com/ContentSubpage.aspx?id=6072. To learn more about the Volusia County Department of Economic Development’s programs and services for Florida exporters, contact Paul Mitchell at (386) 248-8048 or e-mail him at pmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESS – Join the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UCF as one of the top economic forecasters in the nation, Sean Snaith, Ph.D., presents an economic outlook detailing how the U.S. economic recession will play itself out and how state and local economies will fare through it. This breakfast presentation will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Disney Entrepreneur Center, 315 E. Robinson Street, Suite 100, Orlando. Call (407) 420-4850 or go to http://www.bus.ucf.edu/sbdc/.

SUNSHINE STATE SHINES FOR SMALL BUSINESS – The Small Business Survival Index 2008 reports that Florida's public policy climate for small companies is among the best in the nation. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council studied 34 factors that affect the competitiveness of small businesses and entrepreneurs. Florida moved up one spot from last year's Index to 4th behind South Dakota, Nevada and Wyoming in the index. Visit www.sbecoucil.org for copy of the complete report.

VCARD TO HOST EDUCATIONAL FORUM – VCARD is hosting a nationally recognized speaker for a forum titled “Sustainable civic engagement: A new paradigm for a changing world.” Patrick Slevin will share examples of successful promotion of community and government support for quality developments and how citizen engagement practices are being used by development professionals. The luncheon will be at the LPGA International Clubhouse, 1000 Champions Drive, Daytona Beach, at 11 a.m. Jan. 30. Cost is $22 and includes lunch. Contact Gail Miller, VCARD office, for reservations at gail@daytonachamber.com.

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.