June 29, 2009

LOCAL MANUFACTURERS HELP LAUNCH FRANCE TOWER – The ceramics workshop at United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida in Daytona Beach created custom ceramic replicas of the iconic belvedere atop the France Tower at Halifax Health to commemorate completion of the state-of-the-art hospital. The items were featured at the grand opening celebration along with several custom engineered chess sets featuring the belvedere in place of the “rooks.” The chess sets were produced and donated by Magga Products Company, Holly Hill.

INDUSTRIAL SITE NEEDED – A manufacturer is seeking 10 to 20 acres zoned for industrial use. Proximity to interstate and rail lines is important. If you know of a location that meets these general guidelines, please submit your information to John Kizer, Volusia County Division of Economic Development, at jkizer@co.volusia.fl.us or call (386) 248-8048.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC FORECAST – Enterprise Florida and the Florida District Export Council are hosting a Global Economic Forecast and Trade Resources Expo at the Disney Entrepreneur Center from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 8. Topics include the global recession and export opportunities. For reservations and other information, please contact Mike Schiffhauer at mschiffhauer@eflorida.com or (407) 956-5634.

SPRUCE CREEK AND DELAND HIGH SCHOOL ARE TOP RANKED – Spruce Creek and DeLand high schools are among the nation's top schools, according to a recent report from Newsweek magazine. The rankings are based on a comparison of the number of International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement tests given at schools and how many students they graduate. Spruce Creek in Port Orange ranks 120th on Newsweek's list of the top 1,500 schools and DeLand ranks 225th.

DAYTONA BEACH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP – The Daytona Beach Young Professionals Group (YPG) is a networking organization of young professionals in Volusia County ranging in age from early 20s to early 40s. The first Daytona YPG function was in February 2004 with eight young professionals attending. Since then, the interest, attendance and contribution has grown into the hundreds. The group has a simple agenda: To enrich our community by uniting and developing young professionals. To learn more about YPG, visit www.daytonaypg.com.

SPARTON WINS NAVAL CONTRACT– Sparton Corporation has won a U.S. Navy contract to manufacture sonobuoys at Sparton’s plant in DeLeon Springs. The $19.3 million contract calls for Sparton, the only U.S.-owned designer and manufacturer of sonobuoys, to provide 7,320 subassemblies in support of U.S. Navy anti-submarine operations. Production and testing at the West Volusia facility is expected to be completed in May 2011.

ROADMAP TO FLORIDA’S FUTURE – Enterprise Florida is holding a series of regional forums for economic development stakeholders. Titled “The Roadmap to Florida’s Future,” it was designed to garner perspectives in Enterprise Florida’s East Central Region regarding economic development opportunities and challenges as the agency works to update its 2010 - 2015 statewide strategic plan. To participate in the roadmap survey, access discussion boards or for more information, go to www.eflorida.com/Roadmap.

DELAND AWARDED WATER FUNDING – The City of DeLand was selected to receive $3.2 million in drinking water project loan funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and was based on the project’s shovel readiness, and environmental and public health benefits. DeLand also qualifies for provisions under which a portion of the loan principal will be forgiven. Additional information is available on the Department of Environmental Protection’s web site www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2009/05/0522_02.htm.

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