July 13, 2009

DISASTER PLAN IN A BOX – Presented by the Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber, the Small Business Development Center and FPL, “Disaster Plan in a Box” will be a hands-on, interactive presentation designed to ensure attendees leave with disaster plans in hand. The program is applicable for whatever disaster might come a small business’s way, with strategies and tools for disaster planning to reduce economic damages. The free program will be from 3 - 5 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at Riverside Pavilion, 3431 Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. To RSVP, call (386) 761-1601.

NEW COMPANY STARTS UP IN EDGEWATER – Cart Tech has started operations in a newly purchased building in Edgewater. With the assistance of the Volusia County Division of Economic Development, the principals of the company chose Volusia County as the site for their operation, which will refurbish more than 1,000 shopping carts per month when the company reaches full production. Presently, Cart Tech employs 19 workers. Learn more about Cart Tech’s operation at www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgIzmp64xYk.

SMYRNA ACTIVE LEADERS FOR TOMORROW – Smyrna Active Leaders for Tomorrow (SALT) is a civic-minded group of New Smyrna Beach young professionals and a subsidiary of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce. The committee’s mission statement, “To preserve our community’s quality of life, promote environmental conservation, stimulate healthy economic growth and foster youth development,” speaks to improving the City of New Smyrna Beach. Since its inception in March 2008, SALT has focused its efforts on city improvements in several key areas including beautification projects, recreation, and incentives to entice new businesses. The group meets monthly, in addition to hosting social events at various locations throughout the Southeast Volusia County area. To learn more about SALT, contact Gentry Baumline-Robinson at gentry@hayworthcreative.com or visit www.SEVChamber.com.

CITIZENS ACADEMY – Applications are being accepted for Volusia County Government’s Citizens Academy, a hands-on awareness program designed to educate and inform citizens about how county government operates. The free 12-week program, which meets from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesdays, will begin Aug. 18. Applications are available online at www.volusia.org/citizensacademy and must be completed and returned by Wednesday, July 15. For information, please contact Cindy Hancock Finney at (386) 822-5060, ext. 2448.

SPANISH FOR BUSINESS – Daytona State College (DSC) Community and Professional Education is offering “Intermediate Spanish for Business” classes at DSC’s Deltona Campus, 2351 Providence Blvd., building 1, room 129. Classes will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 12 - Sept. 30. Cost is $124 per registrant. To learn more, visit www.thecbi.com (look under “Leisure”), call (386) 506-3858, or e-mail ruedl@DaytonaState.edu. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP BOOM – Aging Baby Boomers aren’t headed out to pasture: they’re starting new businesses. That’s according to a Kauffman Foundation study that predicts the United States may be “on the cusp of an entrepreneurship boom.” Over the past decade, Americans ages 55 to 64 had the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity of any age group. The 20 to 34 age bracket had the lowest rate, despite the attention lavished on youthful entrepreneurs, like those of Facebook and Google.

DELAND AWARDED WATER FUNDING – The City of DeLand was selected to receive $3.2 million in drinking water project loan funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and was based on the project’s shovel-readiness, as well as its environmental and public health benefits. The City of DeLand also qualifies for provisions under which a portion of the loan principal will be forgiven. Additional information is available at the Department of Environmental Protection’s web site at 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.