Monday – July 28, 2008

SCHEDULE NOW FOR THE Q3 COMMUNITY ECONOMICS BRIEFING – The Volusia County Department of Economic Development will conduct an economics briefing to business, banking, education and local government leaders beginning at 7:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at the Daytona Beach International Airport. The briefing will be in the Volusia Room which is on the second level in the main terminal. The briefing will highlight the area’s employment trends, commercial and residential building activities, and the latest residential foreclosure rates for the months of April, May and June. The seating for this event is limited to the first 120 registrants. To register, call the Department of Economic Development at (386) 248-8048 before Wednesday, Aug. 6.

BUSINESS RESOURCES: SCORE - The Counselors to America's Small Business (SCORE) offers free and confidential advice and has 1,300 e-mail counselors who can answer questions within 48 hours. Their web site, www.score.org, is extremely helpful. If you need advice or someone to discuss your business ideas and problems, please call (386) 255-6889.

FLORIDA MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP (Florida MEP) - Global pressures and customer demands to achieve world-class status require companies to focus on lowering costs by reducing waste, increasing throughput, improving lead times, and making customer satisfaction a priority. The Florida MEP mission is to help clients achieve the right focus and become globally competitive by offering facilitation in lean enterprise transformation, supply chain management, quality systems, workforce development and government procurement. The Florida MEP leverages available public and private resources to every manufacturing enterprise in the state. Volusia County manufacturers are already benefiting from the services of the Florida MEP. To learn how Florida MEP can benefit your company, please call (321) 939-4000 or contact them via e-mail at info@floridamep.org.

TRADE MISSION SCHEDULED FOR LIMA, PERU - Enterprise Florida will be leading an export sales mission to Lima, Peru, Oct. 19-22. Peru is the 16th largest importer of Florida products and services totaling $2.1 billion. Designed to help Volusia County manufacturers and service companies identify and initiate new business opportunities with Peruvian buyers, the two-day mission includes pre-screened personalized business appointments, briefings with U.S. Commercial officers, an ambassadorial-networking cocktail reception, and transportation and translation assistance. To learn more about this unique opportunity and qualify for a grant to participate in this important mission to Peru, contact the Volusia County Department of Economic Development by calling Paul Mitchell, international trade specialist, at (386) 248-8048.

FLORIDA RANKED NATIONALLY BY BUSINESS FACILITIES MAGAZINE – Florida ranks in the top 10 nationally for the best overall tax climate for business and for the overall cost of labor, according to Business Facilities Magazine’s July 2008 publication. Florida also ranks within the top 20 states nationwide for its business “green” initiatives.

APPLICANTS BEING SOUGHT FOR THE “EXPORTER OF THE YEAR” AWARD - Volusia County companies account for more than $200 million a year in export of locally manufactured goods and services. To honor companies that produce locally and ship worldwide, the Volusia County Department of Economic Development is sponsoring its annual “Exporter of the Year” award in association with the Volusia Manufacturers Association (VMA). Past winners include Hawaiian Tropic, Thompson Pump and Ocean Design. The winner will receive a fully paid U.S. Commercial Service Gold Key service to the country of their choice and recognition at the VMA annual awards banquet. New-to-export and experienced manufacturers are encouraged to apply. To receive an application, please contact Paul Mitchell, international business specialist, at (386) 248-8048.

NEWS ITEMS WANTED! – Please send your business news items to Dave Byron, Volusia County Community Information Director, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, FL 32720-4612, by fax at (386) 822-5072 or by e-mail at dbyron@co.volusia.fl.us.