June 21, 2010

LOW INTEREST RATES ON EQUIPMENT FINANCING -- Manufacturers that need financing to purchase new or used equipment can turn to the SBA 504 Loan Program and take advantage of historically low rates on its 10-year equipment loan. The interest rate is 4.15 percent for financing up to $4 million. These loans are paired with private sector commercial loans to support manufacturing projects of up to $20 million. For more information go to: ffcfc.com.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS FIND YOU THROUGH DIRECTORY -- Manufacturers are encouraged to register in the Florida Export Directory that is being marketed to other countries by Enterprise Florida Inc. The Florida Export Directory is designed to bring together buyers from companies throughout the world with Florida companies that produce goods and services in a wide variety of industries.
Go to: floridaexportdirectory.com to see if your company is listed. If not, click the Register button and select the best membership plan for your company. Signing up takes a few minutes.

VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION FEATURES INTERNATIONAL FINANCE – The Volusia Manufacturers Association’s guest speaker for its regular meeting June 24 will be Kenneth Nadler, an international finance specialist for Fifth Third Bank. Ken’s topic will be, “Ok, you made the sale, now how do you get paid?”. Networking begins at 5 p.m. at the Indigo Lakes Country Club. For reservations, call 386-673-0505 or email: jayne.fifer@vmaonline.com

SALES TAX REFUND FOR MANUFACTURERS -- The Florida Legislature this year passed a $43 million state sales tax refund package for Florida manufacturers. While the state’s 6 percent sales tax can be waived, the 0.5 percent local option sales tax in Volusia County will be charged. During FY 2010/11 $19 million will be refunded. In FY 2011/12 $24 million will be refunded. No company may receive more than $50,000 in refunds in any one year. Refund applications will be taken beginning July 1. For more information go to: tinyurl.com/flataxrefund.

ONLINE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING AVAILABLE – The Center for Business Excellence is encouraging the use of the Microsoft® Elevate America program which includes general, self-paced, beginning and intermediate e-learning online courses in Microsoft Office, and Professional. The courses are tailored for individuals on a technical professional career track in areas such as web development or database management. To see the entire Microsoft course selection visit: microsoftelearning.com/catalog/default.aspx. Apply for a voucher through Aug. 21 or while supplies last for each course at: elevateamerica.floridajobs.org. A $20 sitting fee per certification exam applies. For more information by e-mail: elevateamerica@cbe-fvc.org.

HURRICANE PARTY! – The Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College will present a free informative and fun session called: “Bullet Proof Your Business and Hurricane Party!” Presentations come with free giveaways including hurricane drinks. The event will be Thursday, June 24, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at River Grille, 950 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach.
Call 386-506-4723 or email: sbdc@daytonastate.edu to register.

PAPER WASTE A HUGE WASTE -- Every year enough paper is thrown away to make a 12-foot wall from New York to California. Recycling of each ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water. Recycled paper also saves 60 percent energy in comparison to new paper and generates 95 percent less air pollution. Since a fifth of all wood harvested in the world ends up in paper it makes sense to recycle and conserve this valuable resource.

PUBLIC TRANSIT USE SOARS – The number of people using public transportation hit a 52-year high during 2008

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.

Department of Economic Development
700 Catalina Drive, Suite 200, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Telephone: 386-248-8048   FAX: 386 238-4761   Toll Free: 800-554-3801