SunRail service begins;anchored by DeBary station.

Hundreds turn out for SunRail preview;commuters eager for start of service — Page 10

Five projects fueling economicvitality in Volusia County — Page 6

First quarter construction permit activitysurges to strongest start in years— Page 14

Second quarter - 2014

2

Welcome to Economic DevelopmentQuarterly, a publication brought to you bythe Volusia County Economic DevelopmentDivision. This publication is being producedfor people who have an interest in the area’sbusiness, economic development and realestate market.

Our goal is to use this publication as aneconomic development tool, to keep youinformed and to provide information andstatistics that have meaning to your business.This publication is owned by Volusia CountyGovernment and is produced and sold bythe Volusia/Flagler Business Report throughcontract. Content is solely the responsibilityof the Volusia County Economic DevelopmentDivision.

We’re interested in your comments andstory ideas. Please contact David Byron,community information director, 386-822-5062, or by e-mail at dbyron@volusia.org. Ifyou’d like to become an advertiser, pleasecontact Debbie Keesee at the Volusia/FlaglerBusiness Report at 386-681-2500.

The Economic Development Quarterly isproduced and mailed quarterly to a minimumof 10,000 area businesses by the VolusiaCounty Economic Development Division. It isoffered free to readers, including real estateprofessionals, leaders of business, industry,education, government and selected orga-nizations. If you are interested in receivingthis publication, please contact the Volusia/Flagler Business Report at 386-681-2500.

AdvertisingVolusia/Flagler Business Report

386-681-2500

PublisherVolusia County Council/

Division of Economic Development800-554-3801386-822-5062

floridabusiness.org

TThe organization formerly known as Center for Business Excellence

is enjoying a strong, new, statewide identity as part of the CareerSourceFlorida network. CareerSource Flagler l Volusia is the local organization’snew name following a successful statewide rollout of the CareerSourceFlorida name earlier this year.

“It has been a sweeping and exciting change for us,” said Robin King,president and chief executive officer of CareerSource Flagler l Volusia.“The name more closely projects our image of being a vital resourcefor area jobseekers and employers. It adds an important dynamic,underscoring our organization as a resource with emphasis on jobs andthe foundation for careers. Good for applicants. Good for employers.”

The Workforce Florida board of directors approved the newbrand name after extensive development, collaboration, research andmarket testing. All 24 regional workforce boards throughout Florida,each of which had been operating with a different name and logo andpractically no unifying identity, have adopted it. Under the new banner,CareerSource Florida organizations project a more dynamic identity withinstant statewide presence.

CareerSource Flagler l Volusia operations continue uninterrupted,while identity of its programs have been realigned to the new brand. For

example, the popular One-Stop Employment Centers throughout theregion now operate as CareerSource Flagler l Volusia Centers.

The local organization has proven to be a vital employment resourcehaving served more than 35,000 people last year and maintaining anactive database with 13,000 resumes on file.

“While we are thrilled with the new unified identity and theopportunities that a statewide presence brings, we remain a very localresource dedicated to helping local people find jobs and develop theircareers and helping local employers to strengthen their workforces withqualified, productive employees, customized training, and more,” saidKing. “We continue to be governed by a broad-based, 31-member boardof directors from throughout Flagler and Volusia counties.

The organization remains Workforce Development Board of Flaglerand Volusia Counties, doing business as CareerSource Flagler l Volusia.In 2005 it began doing business as the Center for Business Excellence. Itretired that identity in March of this year with the CareerSource Flagler lVolusia rollout.

The new identity came with a new website, which offers completeinformation on the organization’s programs and resources. Go to:CareerSourceFV.com. n

Local Center for Business Excellenceis rebranded with unified statewide

CareerSource image

Ted Young and Robin King of CareerSource Flagler l Volusia stand in front of the new logo.

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4

OOne of the driving forces behind

what many are recognizing as aneconomic renaissance in VolusiaCounty is momentum in theeconomic development arena. Thatmomentum is due in large part tothe significant level of collaborationoccurring in our economicdevelopment eco-system. However,the makeup of that team is not alwayswell known, so let’s review the basics.

The three lead economicdevelopment organizations inVolusia County are the Team VolusiaEconomic Development Corporation,the CEO Business Alliance, andthe Volusia County EconomicDevelopment Division. In addition,most of Volusia’s city governmentshave some level of staffengagement in economicdevelopment.

Team Volusia EconomicDevelopment Corporationis responsible for businessrecruitment in partnershipwith the county, 10 localgovernments, five educationpartners, and a broad base ofmore than 50 private sectorinvestors.

The CEO BusinessAlliance, funded entirelyby seven very successfulprivate sector firms, also isengaged in business recruiting andbusiness expansion efforts, but witha different focus, under the directionof the area’s leading businessprofessionals.

Volusia County’s EconomicDevelopment Division is responsiblefor working closely with each cityin assisting with the expansion, andwhen necessary, the retention ofexisting businesses.

We’ve previously reviewed someof the resources available to, andtheir impact on, startup and earlystage businesses. Mature businesses,including manufacturers and othercorporate entities, can contributesignificantly to the growth of our localeconomy although they representa relatively small percentage ofestablished businesses in the countyas defined by the Florida Department

of Economic Opportunity. Tworecent company expansions illustratethe challenges we, and the businesses,face. In each case, collaboration wasthe key to a successful outcome.

Frontier Communications is aFortune 500 telecommunication firmheadquartered in Connecticut. Itscustomer care center in DeLand is asignificant regional employer whoseexecutives recently announcedan expansion at that location thatis expected to create at least 139additional jobs for local residents.This collaboration occurred over anextended period of time, addressedmyriad issues, and involved the Cityof DeLand; the building’s owner;a national site selection firm; the

relocation of two stateagencies with offices atthat same location; localcommercial Realtors;CareerSource Flagler |Volusia; Volusia County’sEconomic DevelopmentDivision; Enterprise Florida;Florida Department ofEconomic Opportunity; andeventually the Office of theGovernor.

Boat builder BostonWhaler also has announceda major facilitiesexpansion at its Edgewater

headquarters. This internationalbrand is experiencing stronggrowth which requires expandedmanufacturing capabilities andcapacity. The company consideredseveral locations, but decided toexpand in Volusia County creatingat least 46 new fulltime positions.This collaboration occurred over 10months or so and involved multiplecompetencies within the city andcounty staffs, the CEO BusinessAlliance, local utility providers,professional service and contractororganizations, Enterprise Florida,and the Department of EconomicOpportunity.

The bottom line is building jobsand a resilient base of employers takestime, a dynamic set of resources, anda commitment to working as a teamtoward a common goal. n

Teamwork drivingfactor in area’s

economic resurgence

Rob Ehrhardt,Mananger, VolusiaCounty EconomicDevelopmentDivision

Imagine the jaw-dropping reaction if a companywas coming to town and planned to invest $775million in local projects. While no company hasmade such an announcement, the investment isreal, courtesy of several road improvements that areunderway or planned.

At the Volusia County Economic DevelopmentDivision’s quarterly economic briefing in February,a key factor cited in local economic activity wasroad improvements and construction, particularlythe active or planned construction of five major roadimprovement projects which alone account for aninvestment in excess of $775 million. Funding datafor these projects was compiled with assistance fromthe local Florida Department of Transportation office,Volusia County’s Public Works Department, andthe Volusia Transportation Planning Organization’stransportation improvement program.

“There is no doubt that road constructionrepresents substantial economic activity sinceimproving or building roads is an expensiveproposition,” said Jerry Brinton, Volusia County’sengineer. “In addition to federal and state funding ofmajor projects, our local road improvement programnot only has enhanced transportation in our regionbut also has contributed to economic vitality whilebenefitting residents, visitors and commerce.”

The scope of the projects varies greatly. Of thefive major projects cited at the quarterly briefing, theinterstate highway projects represent the biggestinvestment. For example, the I-4/I-95 “ultimate fix”interchange is a $296 million project. The widening ofthe Volusia County segment of I-95 is a $196 million

project. And the widening of I-4 and S.R. 44 north toI-95 is a $162 million project. The widening of S.R. 415comes in at $79 million, and the Veterans MemorialBridge replacement has a $43 million tab. Related tothe bridge construction project is a major overhaulof Orange Avenue in Daytona Beach, a project thatincludes new utilities, sidewalks, drainage, lighting,streetscaping and road improvements. This is a$20 million project of the state, county and City ofDaytona Beach.

Governor Scott was in Daytona Beach in earlyApril to tout the state’s investment in local roadprojects.

The county’s road and bridge program focuses onthe areas of greatest need balanced with the challengeof funding projects in an era when revenues from gastaxes are diminishing. Still, several projects are wellunderway. One is the widening of Tymber CreekRoad in Ormond Beach. The road is being rebuilt asa four-lane road and represents an investment of $6.1million.

This project is being funded by the county. Someprojects are funded by multiple entities. For example,the conversion of Saxon Boulevard in Deltona isfunded with $2.9 million from the county and $1.4million from a state grant.

“Whether funded by the county, state,federal government, or the private sector, roadimprovements and construction helps us to maintainand improve the quality of life in our communitywith the added benefit of substantial investmentscontributing to our economic vitality,” said Brinton.n

Area road projects a significantlocal economic boost

Cones mark the road work underway on Tymber Creek Road in Ormond Beach.

0002061112

5

LLast year Florida businesses, including some

in Volusia County, exported more than $60billion worth of goods. Conventional wisdomis that with a little advice and encouragementeven more local businesses can prosperfrom exporting. That was the rationale for arecent export seminar hosted by the county’sEconomic Development Division.

“We were pleased that more than 50people attended the seminar, all of whom arepotential exporters,” said Rob Ehrhardt, thecounty’s economic development director. “Wealso invited representatives from businessesthat already are exporting so they couldshare testimonials with those who are not yetexporting, but who wanted to learn more aboutthe process. It’s safe to say everyone walkedaway with some useful information relativeto getting into exporting or stepping up theirvolume as a current exporter.”

Ehrhardt underscored the potential thatexporting holds by noting there are 315 millionpeople in the United States, which is just 4percent of the world’s population. That means96 percent of the potential exporting customerbase is outside the United States.

Seminar presenters included Van Canada, aformer banker who now advises local businessesas a manager at the Small Business DevelopmentCenter at Daytona State College. He was

joined by Paul Mitchell, regional managerof International Trade Development forEnterprise Florida, a public-private partnershipbetween business and government leadersand the principal economic developmentorganization for the state. Another presenterwas Elena Méndez of the Export-Import Bankof the United States, the official export creditagency of the United States that assists withexport financing. Mindi Hertzog, InternationalTrade Specialist with U.S. CommercialService, the trade promotion arm of the U.S.

Department of Commerce’s International TradeAdministration, also was a speaker.

Seminar attendees were told of thewide range of export resources available tobusinesses. This includes resources that helpto evaluate the export potential of a productor service; the development of an export plan;support for experienced exporters; and “bootson the ground” support overseas. This supportprovides global reach, including support throughembassies and/or host country nationals whoare familiar with local business practices and

customs in a particular country.“Presentations were focused and concise

and each presenter was followed by a localbusiness person experienced in exporting,”said Canada. For example, Elisha Bethany ofUniversal Packaging Machinery Corporation inOrange City, followed Canada. She commentedon the wealth of information provided at theseminar and her firm’s commitment to increaseexports. Universal is a precision manufacturerand exports after-market, high-efficiency fillingvalves used by customers including Coca-Cola,7-Up, Dr. Pepper, Snapple and others.

“We see great opportunity in exports, butwe also need some expert guidance to ensureour financial and logistical models supportour business model,” she said, and noted thatthe county’s Economic Development Divisionhelped her firm with some of the complexities ofexporting.

Keith Landy, chief executive officer of GermFree Laboratories Inc., also attended the seminarand spoke of the importance of exporting tohis business during the economic downturn ofrecent years. He said the economy as it was in2008 could have crushed his business if it werenot for his export business. He said many of hissales people are traveling the world these daysand that it’s important to think globally andattend key trade shows. n

Exporting touted as major potential for local firms

Seminar presenters, from left are: Mindi Hertzog, U.S. Commercial Service; Paul Mitchell, Enterprise Florida;Elena Méndez, Ex-Im Bank; and Van Canada, Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College.

6

A“A billion here, a billion there, pretty

soon, you’re talking real money,” the lateSen. Everett Dirksen reportedly said.One look at major projects taking flight inVolusia County demonstrates the impact“real money” can have on a community.The potential investment value of thefive major projects in the news exceeds$1 billion, and when these projects arecomplete the Daytona Beach/Volusiacounty area never will be the same.

These projects include the Ciciand Hyatt Brown Art Museum at

the Museum of Arts and Sciences;Daytona Rising at Daytona InternationalSpeedway (DIS); ONE DAYTONA acrossfrom DIS; a convention hotel announcedby the Protogroup; and the Hard RockHotel being developed by BayshoreCapital. Here’s a quick status check oneach.

CiCi And HyATT BRown ART MuSEuMThanks to a donation of $14.3 million

for design and construction and another$2 million toward operations, gifts from

the Browns, the Cici and Hyatt BrownMuseum of Art at the Museum of Artsand Sciences in Daytona Beach is wellunderway.

The innovative museum will be thenew 26,000-square-foot home for theBrown’s extensive collection of morethan 2,700 Florida oil and watercolorpaintings. In addition to a large,permanent gallery including a mezzanine,which will showcase the collection’ssignature pieces, the new museum willinclude six changing galleries, ranging

Five projects fueling economicvitality in Volusia County

The ONE DAYTONA project will be a gateway to the area. Restaurants, stores, hospitality and entertainment all at one location.

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from 900 to 2,000 square feet, conference and education rooms, acafé with outdoor seating, and a gift shop. Conference rooms andmeeting and event spaces will be available for rent.

The signature structure is visible from Nova Road and alreadyhas become something of a landmark. It features distinctivearchitecture by RLF, an award-winning firm fromWinterPark. The contractor is Bomar Construction, Ormond Beach.Progress has been encouraging, according to Andrew Sandall, themuseum’s director. “Absolutely staggering,” he said as he looksforward to a 2015 opening.

dAyTonA RiSing:REiMAging An AMERiCAn iCon

The ambitious Daytona Rising project is transforming DaytonaInternational Speedway (DIS) to what promises to set a newstandard among the world’s leading sporting venues. The design/build team of Detroit-based Rosetti and Barton Malow, Orlando/Detroit, are working with International Speedway Corporation(ISC) to completely transform the nearly mile-long grandstandinto a brand new experience for fans, news media, sponsors,drivers and employees.

“What fans want from their experience has changeddramatically in the last 15 years,” said Matt Rosetti, the company’spresident. “Besides the modern amenities, they want toexperience a sports community and social atmosphere they can’tget anywhere else. We will give them that experience.”

Already glistening steel support structures that willaccommodate new seating are reaching skyward. Whencomplete in 2016, the complex will offer 101,500 wider, morecomfortable grandstand seats, more than 60 trackside suites andhundreds of club and loge seats.

There will be 40 escalators, more than any other professionalsports stadium, and 14 elevators to transport fans throughout thefacility.

More than 151 miles of fiber optic wiring will be installed tosupport technology amenities. More than 280 miles of wire willfeed a network of 3,000 speakers, and there will be more than1,600 high definition video screens throughout the complex, soeven when fans are out of their seats, they will be in touch withthe action on the track.

onE dAyTonA wiLL wELCoMEMiLLionS To THE CoMMuniTy

ONE DAYTONA is a joint venture between InternationalSpeedway Corporation (ISC) and Atlanta-based JacobyDevelopment Inc. This proposed development encompasses180 acres owned by ISC just north of International SpeedwayBoulevard and near the crossroads of Central Florida, Interstates4 and 95.

ISC’s approved land use entitlements allow for up to 1.4 millionsquare feet of retail/dining/entertainment area, 2,500 movietheater seats, 660 hotel rooms, 1,350 residential units, 567 squarefeet of office space, and 500,000 square feet of commercial/industrial space. Bass Pro Shops and Cobb Theaters alreadyhave signed leases to anchor ONE DAYTONA. Accordingto preliminary impact data, ONE DAYTONA is expected togenerate 4,200 permanent jobs at full completion.

“Our goal is to create a vibrant year-round destination thatwill serve as a new gateway to our hometown,” said Lesa FranceKennedy, ISC’s chief executive officer. “This project allows us tocontinue reinvesting in our community while unlocking the fullvalue of our prime acreage across from Daytona InternationalSpeedway.”

ISC and Jacoby expect to move forward with ONEDAYTONA within the next six to 12 months.

PRoTogRouP’S dAyTonA BEACH RESoRT HoTEL wiLL HoSTConVEnTionEERS, FAMiLiES

Last October Protogroup, investors from Russia, announcedplans for a new oceanfront hotel near the Ocean Center.

According to Alexey Lysich, the company’s vice president,the project calls for two towers of 26 and 29 stories respectivelyin a 1.2 million-square-foot complex. Plans call for it to be a fourstar independent hotel. The shops will front N. Atlantic Avenueat street level and include indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, fitnessroom, ballroom, roof garden, meeting rooms, penthouses andstate-of-the-art parking structure for 834 vehicles.

The $130 million proposed complex will feature 502 hotel

rooms and 120 condominiums. There will be 15,000 square feet ofmeeting space and 14,000 square feet of retail space. As many as400 new jobs will be created. Construction could begin this yearand wrap before the end of 2016, depending on the start date.

Over the past decade, Protogroup has built hotels in St.Petersburg, Russia, Montenegro, and Palm Coast. Protogrup is afamily-owned business that also owns a successful supermarketchain in St. Petersburg and other hospitality-related businesses.

HARd RoCk HoTELELECTRiFiES dAyTonA BEACH

When news of Canadian-based Bayshore Capital’s plansto develop a Hard Rock Hotel was released, it electrified thecommunity. By all accounts, the project is being embraced by anespecially important group – condominium buyers. More than 70percent of the 99 Hard Rock condominiums being offered for salehave been reserved, the developers have said.

“It’s an established brand and a good match with ourcommunity,” said Glenn Storch, an attorney with the firm ofStorch & Harris, which is representing the developers. “It speaksto a young, affluent market. And it has a reputation as a goodinnkeeper.”

The Hard Rock Hotel is being developed on a 10-acreoceanfront parcel, just south of the county’s SunSplash Parkon S. Atlantic Avenue. The complex will cover 375,000 squarefeet. Initial plans call for 250 guest rooms and 99 condominiums.There will be a 28,000-square-foot ballroom with banquet space,and two suites designed for rock stars. The Hard Rock’s giftshop promises to be a bit of an attraction unto itself, given thepopularity of Hard Rock merchandise. A guest studio will givepeople the opportunity of jammin’ on Fender guitars and evenrecord their compositions to post or take home as a souvenir.

Presuming the market remains robust, construction on theproject could begin by year’s end with completion projectedfor 2016. n

7

8

FFlorida’s largest university-owned

telescope is being installed at Embry-RiddleAeronautical University’s Daytona Beachcampus. The new 1-meter-diameter telescopeis perched on the roof of the new Collegeof Arts & Sciences building. Together withsix smaller telescopes, the new equipmentrepresents a $2 million investment.

The new Embry-Riddle telescope is twicethe size of the one currently on campus. Thesubstantial upgrade is the result of severalyears of campaigning by physics professorDr. Peter Erdman, among others. “The newtelescope collects more light with new high-efficiency detectors, so it can see objects 10times dimmer than we can see now, meaningvisibility will be excellent despite the nightlights of Daytona Beach.”

Giving the campus a dramatic new skyline,the two-piece, retractable observatory domeaccommodating the new telescopes is 15feet high, more than 30 feet in diameter andweighs nine tons. It will move electronicallyin sync with the main telescope, rotating a full360 degrees. A smaller dome will be used totrack the sun.

To reach a larger audience, imagesfrom the telescope will be fed to monitorsthroughout the College of Arts & Sciencesbuilding and the university will continue itstradition of inviting the general public to viewthe night sky during astronomy open houses.

In related news, Dr. Terry Oswalt, the newchair of the university’s Physical Sciences

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UUnmanned aerial systems, or drones, are

being used around the world for commercialapplications ranging from fighting brushfires and farmers monitoring crops to realestate agents shooting tour video of homes,photography at sporting events, and packagedelivery.

Now, the unusual partnership betweenEmbry-Riddle AeronauticalUniversity and Volusia CountyGovernment to test unmannedaerial systems (UAS) and otherautonomous vehicles will put our areaat the forefront of UAS innovationand applications as it develops inthe United States. As the leadingaviation and aerospace universityin the world, Embry-Riddle offers adegree in unmanned aircraft systemsscience, and is a leader in the researchand development of UAS technology.In fact, Embry-Riddle conductsmore tests of autonomous aircrafttechnology than any other universityin the nation.

Embry-Riddle is a private institutionand must follow the rules governing civiloperators when flying unmanned systems inthe National Airspace System. This requiresan experimental airworthiness certificate foreach vehicle flown which is an unworkableprocess in the rapidly changing world ofUAS technology. Public agencies and publicuniversities have less stringent requirementsin operating a UAS after securing a certificateof authorization and waiver (COA) from theFederal Aviation Agency (FAA). The COA

process ensures the authorized agency isfollowing strict FAA requirements of safelyoperating an unmanned aerial system.

Embry-Riddle’s unique partnership withVolusia County has created a solution. In 2012,Embry-Riddle and the county entered into anagreement that provided for the temporarytransfer of unmanned aerial vehicles to the

county for testing. In turn, thecounty applied for the certificationof authorization and works closelywith the university to performthe operations specified in theauthorization. This partnership allowsEmbry-Riddle to test small unmannedsystems in a variety of settings andto create a proving ground for newand established companies that wishto use UAS technology to createprofitable businesses.

The Association for UnmannedVehicle Systems International(AUVSI) predicts UAS technologywill generate $13.6 billion of economic

impact and create 70,000 new jobs in thefirst three years of integration of unmannedsystems into the National Airspace System. By2025, it will generate more than $82.1 billion ofeconomic impact and create 103,776 new jobs.

Florida suffered a setback when it was notselected last year as one of the FAA’s six UAStest sites. But together, Embry-Riddle andVolusia County are creating an independenttest bed which will ensure that East CentralFlorida will have the opportunity to competefor its share of economic growth from thisrapidly emerging technology. n

County, Embry-Riddlepartner to tap into potentialof unmanned aerial systems

as emerging industry

Rick karl,Volusia Countydirector, Aviationand EconomicResources

Department, has been elected chair of theSoutheastern Association for Research inAstronomy (SARA). In 1992 he was thefounding chair of the original four-universitySARA consortium established to specialize inremote-access observations. Today the groupincludes 12 U.S. universities with similar goalsfor education and research in astronomy andastrophysics.

Embry-Riddle’s SARA membership givesthe school’s faculty and student researchers“eyes on the skies” around the globe throughtelescopes operated by SARA at Kitt PeakNational Observatory in Arizona and Cerro

Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile.Supported in part by a $500,000 NationalScience Foundation grant, SARA will assumeoperations of a third telescope on the SpanishCanary Island of La Palma this year.

Dr. Oswalt said the university’s SARAentry is well timed. “When the Canary Islandstelescope comes on-line about a year fromnow, Embry-Riddle faculty and students willhave almost continuous access to nearly 90percent of the sky.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for our studentsto refine their observational skills using world-class equipment.” n

I10

C O V E R S T O R Y

If the estimated turnout of 1,000 people atthe SunRail open house at the DeBary stationMarch 29 is any indication, there’s plenty ofenthusiasm about the start of commuter trainservice.

Targeted at working people who commuteto jobs in Central Florida, SunRail trains willserve Volusia, Seminole and Orange countiesand in a later phase Osceola County. Trainswill run Monday through Friday during normalworking hours. There will be no commutertrain service at nights or on weekends.

SunRail is a $1.3 billion commuter railsystem that in the first phase connects DeBaryto Sand Lake Road in Orange County operatingon existing railroad tracks. Future extensionsare planned north to DeLand and south tothe Poinciana area. For now, the line coverssome 31 miles with 12 stops. DeBary is the lone

station serving Volusia County for now. Afare of $7.50 buys a round trip with discountoptions available.

As part of a partnership that includes thefour Central Florida counties, the City ofOrlando, the state and federal governments,the Volusia County Council has committed anestimated $82 million over 30 years.

“The county council’s decision to join theSunRail partnership was a courageous andvisionary action,” said Pat Northey, a longtimemember of the county council and a Deltonaresident. “SunRail service benefits all of VolusiaCounty, but most especially southwest Volusiawhere more than 35,000 people commute tojobs outside of the area. As Central Floridacontinues to grow and our roads becomeeven more congested SunRail will grow inimportance as a transportation option.”

Hundreds turn out for SunRail preview in deBary;commuters eager for start of service May 1

More than 1,000 turned out for the SunRail preview event on March 29 in DeBary.

11

Volusia CountyGovernment, the City ofDeBary, Votran, SunRail andthe River-to-Sea TransportationPlanning Organization stagedthe community open house atthe new DeBary station. Guestsgot to see the station, tour theSunRail trains and Votran buseswrapped with colorful SunRailgraphics that will operatefeeder routes to get people tothe DeBary station from otherpoints in the county.

The event was attendedby an estimated 1,000curious and excited people.Dignitaries welcomed guestsand offered comments aboutthe collaboration that led tothe creation of SunRail andits potential as a communityservice and economicdevelopment tool. Among theofficials who offered remarkswere U. S. Representative JohnMica.

“This was a team effort,”said Rep. Mica. “And no countywill benefit more from SunRailthan Volusia County.” Headded that future plans call forextending the line to DeLandand stressed the importance ofthat extension in serving thepeople of Volusia County.

Northey echoed Mica’scomments about teamwork,noting that it took years ofeffort by many leaders to makeSunRail a reality. “There weretimes when it did not appearthat we could make SunRailhappen,” she told the crowdas she displayed a board withnewspaper clippings citingvarious setbacks through theyears. “But here we are today.Look at SunRail now!”

Enthusiasm was thecommon denominator amongthe crowd, with a constant flowof guests walking through thetrains and admiring the colorfulVotran feeder buses.

“This is not my father’strain,” said Michael Cox, whoattended the event with hiswife, Mary. The Coxes live inDeBary and look forward toriding SunRail for occasionaltrips to Orlando. “This is waynicer than the trains in NewJersey. This is beautiful, withtabletops, comfortable seating,

SEE SunRAiL, PAGE 12

U.S. Representative John Mica joins Votran drivers in giving SunRail a thumbs-up at the DeBary station community preview in March.

Florida Representative David Santiago offered comments of support and congratulations.County Coucilwoman Pat Northey recalled that there were challenges on the journey tothe successful launch of SunRail.

Vousia County Chair Jason Davis spoke of the importance of SunRail to Volusia County andall of Central Florida. Votran drivers hopped aboard SunRail for an inside look.

12

free Wi-Fi and great fares. It’s going to bea great ride.”

Dan Hardester, a Deltona residentwho attended the event, said he hasbeen looking forward to SunRail. Hecommutes to his job in Orlando. “I havebeen commuting to downtown Orlandoby bus, but the SunRail train will be fasterand more comfortable. I think it’s great.We’ll get a great view of the I-4 trafficfrom the upper deck on SunRail. Love it.”

SunRail features new railroad carswith upper decks. The trains offer freewireless internet and power outlets.There are restroom facilities on board.ADA-friendly designs ease the boardingand seating process. Parking is free atstations and suburban areas. There areluggage and bicycle accommodations.There is an economic developmentcomponent of the SunRail system, too.Increased commercial real estate activityhas been observed near SunRail stationsand the system has the potential to createan estimated 250,000 jobs as CentralFlorida businesses, research institutions,health facilities and communitiescontinue to prosper.

The official ribbon cutting ceremonyto launch SunRail is April 30 at the SandLake station at 11:30 a.m. For informationon SunRail go to: SunRail.com. n

SunRAiLFRoM PAgE 11

Former SunRail Commission Chairman Frank Bruno and his wife, Mary,enjoy the trains with their grandson, Ian Dillon.

Mary and Michael Cox, of DeBary, enjoyed the view from the upperdeck of a SunRail car.

Votran’s John Cotton reviews routes for visitors at Community Previewday.

Heather Blancke was on hand to explain Votran feeder routes to theDeBary SunRail station.

Young Ian Dillon got to meet Tie, the SunRail Safety Squirrel atCommunity Preview day.

0002070445

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The Volusia County EconomicDevelopment Quarterly (EDQ) is mailedeach quarter to thousands of businessowners, self-employed and other toplevel business professionals.

The EDQ has a distribution of about10,000 and increases daily. It is mailedto 7,000 + businesses that have astrong impact on our community, manyof which have requested to receive thepublication.

Reach a lucrative market of businessowners, self-employed and other businessprofessionals with strong purchasingpower.

Position your marketing message in frontof influential leaders.

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386.681.2500

CyBERSECuRiTy ESSEnTiALS FoRSMALL BuSinESS FRoM THE SBA— Cyber threats are real, and smallbusinesses are becoming more commonas targets for these crimes becausethey often have fewer preventative orresponsive resources. Learn more abouthow to help make your business morecybersecure – check out the self-pacedonline training course, “Cybersecurity forSmall Businesses,” which features tipsand resources. Visit http://tinyurl.com/mym3x9r.STATE PARk SySTEM An EConoMiCEnginE— Florida’s state park systemgenerated $55 million, supported 19,000jobs, and had a $1.1 billion economicimpact in 2012-13, according to theFlorida Park Service. Florida’s park andtrail system includes 161 parks, 10 trails,nearly 800,000 acres, 100 miles ofbeaches, and more than 1,600 miles ofmulti-use trails that attract more than 25million visitors a year. For informationgo to: Floridastateparks.org/resources/aboutus.cfm.SBdC oFFERS BuSinESSES gRowTHACCELERATion HELP— The SmallBusiness Development Center (SBDC) atDaytona State College offers free growthacceleration consulting services toqualified emerging, growing businesses.Accepted businesses will meet with agrowth acceleration consultant whowill conduct an in-depth businessassessment. A report will be providedthat includes recommendations designedto aid in effectively and efficientlygrowing a business, including the tools,strategies and expertise a businessneeds to accelerate growth and success.For qualification and applicationinformation call 386-506-4723.nuMERouS RESouRCES AVAiLABLEFoR STARTing A BuSinESS— Thereare many online business informationtools available for people starting abusiness that are available anytime ina variety of formats including articles,videos and checklists. Sites to considerinclude sba.gov; sbdcdaytona.com,and score.org. In addition, the VolusiaCounty library system offers a variety ofresources for persons with a library card.The site is volusialibrary.org.VidEoS oF VoLuSiAMAnuFACTuRERS— The county’sVolusia Magazine television programfeatures profiles of manufacturers andbusiness features on a segment calledthe Business Beat. Many of the videoscan be viewed on the Volusia CountyEconomic Development website. Go to:floridabusiness.org/business-assistance-and-retention/index.stml.SBA LiSTS TRAiTS FoR STARTingA SuCCESSFuL SMALL BuSinESS— According to the Small Business

Administration (SBA), the characteristicsand skills commonly associated withsuccessful entrepreneurs include beingcomfortable with taking risks, having asense of independence, having an abilityto be persuasive, being able to negotiate,showing a creative flair, and havingthe support of others. Go to: sba.gov/thinking-about-starting.nMSdC AdVAnCES oPPoRTuniTiESFoR MinoRiTy SuPPLiERS— TheNational Minority Supplier DevelopmentCouncil (NMSDC) advances businessopportunities for certified Asian,Black, Hispanic and Native Americanbusinesses and connects them tocorporate members for businessopportunities. The NMSDC has 33regional councils that certify and matchmore than 16,000 minority-ownedbusinesses with member corporations.Go to: nmsdc.org or fmsdc.org.EConoMiC dEVELoPMEnT wEBSiTEEnHAnCEd— Volusia County’sEconomic Development Division hasreorganized and enhanced its website.It’s a great tool for business growth. Goto: floridabusiness.org.

Look SouTH To LATin AMERiCAwiTH EXPoRT.goV— Look South is afederal government effort to help moreAmerican companies do business with11 Free Trade Agreement partners inLatin America. These 11 economies –Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, DominicanRepublic, El Salvador, Guatemala,Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama,and Peru – have a rapidly growingbase of middle-class consumers anddiversifying industries. For information,go to: export.gov/tradeamericas/looksouth.inTERnATionAL TRAdE dATA SySTEMin dESign— The White House hasmandated work be finished by December2016 on an electronic portal for smallbusinesses to submit import and exportinformation. The International TradeData System is a “single-window” thatwill allow businesses to submit in acentralized location all data required bythe government to move goods acrossinternational borders. The goal of thesystem is to reduce processing timefrom days to minutes. For informationgo to: whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/02/19/executive-order-streamlining-exportimport-process-america-s-businesses.SuRETy Bond guARAnTEE PRogRAMHELPS SMALL BuSinESS winConTRACTS— The Small BusinessAdministration’s (SBA) Surety BondGuarantee Program awarded smallconstruction firms more than $1.2 billionin contracts in fiscal year 2013, a 61percent increase over fiscal year 2012.SBA also guaranteed bonds for publicand private contract bids valued at$4.9 billion, resulting in a total contractamount of more than $6.1 billion. Forinformation go to: sba.gov/org or call800-U-ASK-SBA.REd CRoSS LAunCHES FLood APP— The new flood app developed by theAmerican Red Cross seeks to save livesand reduce losses from floods. The freeapp gives smart phone users instantaccess to local and real-time informationbefore, during and after a flood. Theapp includes location-based, audibleNOAA flood watches and warnings, andis available in English or Spanish. Go to:redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps.FLoRidA TouRiSM RESPonSiBLE FoR1 MiLLion JoBS— Of the 7.6 millionjobs in Florida, more than 1 million aretourism related. According to FloridaTaxWatch’s Center for CompetitiveFlorida, Florida tourism contributes$51 billion to Florida’s gross domesticproduct each year, with beach tourismaccounting for roughly 40 percent of allFlorida tourism. n

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on the Economic Scene is VolusiaCounty Economic development’s popularnewsletter that is faxed every Mondayand then posted on-line. The one-pagecommunication features timely briefs oneconomic development-related subjects.The newsletter reaches more than 2,000people every week. if you would liketo receive it, contact Volusia CountyEconomic development at 386-248-8048.Here are a few briefs that appeared inrecent editions. if you have news youwould like to share, please send it todave Byron, Volusia County CommunityServices department director, 123 w.indiana Ave., deLand, FL 32720-4612, orby e-mail at: dbyron@co.volusia.fl.us.

onLinE VERSion ATFLoRidABuSinESS.oRg

news and notes from recent editions ofon the Economic Scene, the Mondaymorning newsletter of Volusia County

Economic development

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Construction activity in VolusiaCounty is off to the strongest start inyears.

The number of residentialconstruction permits issuedcountywide rose to 348 in the firstquarter, the most since in the first threemonths of a year since 2007, accordingto building permit data collected bythe county’s Economic DevelopmentDivision.

Commercial development is on asteady climb as well. There were 34commercial permits issued in the firstquarter, double the number issued thesame quarter a year ago.

According to local industryobservers, there is little doubt the area’seconomy is making a strong recoveryfrom the 2007-2009 Great Recession.

RESidEnTiAL ConSTRuCTionThe combined value of residential

permits issued during the quarterexceeded $100 million for the thirdtime in the past four quarters —further indication the local residentialconstruction industry’s recovery fromthe 2007-2009 Great Recession iscontinuing, said Rob Ehrhardt, VolusiaCounty economic developmentmanager.

“All signs suggest our housingindustry is growing in a sustainedway,” Ehrhardt said, and added thatlocal builders are becoming moreconfident new buyers will continueto be attracted to Florida and VolusiaCounty.

Ehrhardt said factors contributingto the growing optimism among areabuilders include the harsh winter thatmuch of the country experienced,which typically spurs an increase inpeople moving to Florida. In addition,home mortgage interest rates remainnear historic lows, and overall theeconomy continues to improve.

The 109 residential permits issuedby DeLand in the first quarter werethe most among Volusia’s permitoffices. New Smyrna Beach issued 48residential permits, while DaytonaBeach issued 43. County government,which issues permits in unincorporatedVolusia, issued 46 permits.

DeLand also led the way amongindividual cities in terms of the valueof residential permits issued in the firstquarter. DeLand’s residential permits

totaled $36.4 million in the quarter.New Smyrna Beach followed withnearly $14 million. The total in OrmondBeach was nearly $12.2 million. Theresidential permits issued in DaytonaBeach during the quarter totaled $10.6million. The value of residential permitsissued by the county was $14 million.

Permits typically are issued 60 to120 days after a contract is signed for anew home. This means the first quarterpermit numbers are mostly for ordersbuilders received during the holidaysor in January, said Sandy Burke Bishop,executive director of the VolusiaBuilding Industry Association.

Bishop said the strong residentialpermit numbers in the first quarterbodes well for the rest of the year.

Also bolstering the confidence ofarea builders was the Volusia BuildingIndustry Association’s 2014 Paradeof Homes in March, which drew thebiggest attendance in years. Severalbuilders said they received contracts orstrong leads that could result in ordersin the coming months, Bishop said.

Bob Fitzsimmons, president of theVolusia Building Industry Association,said while new home sales and permitshave been improving steadily inVolusia County, the recovery fromthe Great Recession for the local newhome construction industry still has along way to go. “We’re only halfwayhome to what is considered a healthylevel,” he said at a recent DaytonaBeach Regional Chamber event.

However, Fitzsimmons, the chiefexecutive officer of Gallery Homesof DeLand, added that he believes thelocal new home construction marketshould continue to improve graduallythrough the rest of the year.

CoMMERCiAL ConSTRuCTionCommercial permit activity in

Volusia County also continues to be onan upswing, thanks to the $400 millionDaytona Rising renovation of DaytonaInternational Speedway, and severalother projects permitted during thequarter.

The $216.5 million value of newcommercial permits is the most everin a single quarter in Volusia Countyand is more than the value of thecommercial projects permitted thethree previous quarters combined.

“The impact of the Daytona Rising

First quarter construction permit activitysurges to strongest start in years

News-Journal/CLAyTon PARk

The 306-unit, 10-building WhitePalm Apartments complex off of Williamson Boulevard in Port Orange is setto open soon — the first new apartment complex in east Volusia County since 2011.

News-Journal/JiM TiLLER

This is one of several new homes under construction in the Grande Champion at LPGA Internationalcommunity in Daytona Beach.

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project speaks for itself,” Ehrhardt said pointingout that Barton Malow, the project’s generalcontractor, pulled a permit in the first quartervalued at more than $151.8 million.

Other commercial projects permitted in thefirst quarter have a value of nearly $65 million.“This is the best commercial activity since thefirst quarter 2008,” Ehrhardt said.

Other commercial projects permitted in thefirst quarter include the City of Deltona’s easternwastewater treatment facility, the Ocean Walkcondominium project in unincorporated VolusiaCounty, a Publix grocery store in Daytona BeachShores, and an LA Fitness center at Altamira

Village shopping center in Port Orange.Not surprisingly with the Daytona Rising

project, Daytona Beach led the way amongall permitting offices with the number ofcommercial permits issued in the first quarter.The 23 commercial projects issued by the cityhave a combined value of $158.8 million. WhileDeltona issued only one commercial permitin the quarter, that one project had a value of$24.2 million to make Deltona’s commercialconstruction permit total second among alljurisdictions in the county.

International Speedway Corp., whichowns Daytona International Speedway, told

stock analysts in its latest quarterly earningsconference call that it expects to make themajority of the capital expenditures for itsDaytona Rising project this year and in 2015. DanHouser, the company’s chief financial officer,said the project is on schedule and on budget forcompletion in January 2016, in time for the startof that year’s Speedweeks events.

International Speedway Corp., in its quarterlyearnings report, added that its proposed OneDaytona project is “gaining speed.”

“We successfully reached a public-privatepartnership with the City of Daytona Beach andVolusia County to finance a significant portion

of the necessary infrastructure which, alongwith additional project leasing and financing,could result in groundbreaking as early asmid-summer,” stated Lesa France Kennedy,International Speedway Corporation’s chiefexecutive officer, in the earnings report.

One Daytona is a proposed $812 millionmixed-use project that International SpeedwayCorp. is developing in partnership with JacobyDevelopment. Plans call for it to offer a mix ofhotels, shops, restaurants, loft apartments, amovie theater, grocery store and offices. Theinitial phase will include a multi-screen CobbTheatres and a Bass Pro Shop. n

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www .floridabusiness.org telephone: 386-248-8048

The Volusia County Economic Development Divisionis a free resource available to businesses in VolusiaCounty that need assistance with revenue growth,workforce issues, financing, facility and products, orlogistics.

The division specializes in assistingmanufacturing and knowledge-basedcompanies with growth potential who requirecapital investmentand are in targeted industriessuch as aviation andaerospace,lifesciences,financial/professionalservices,homelandsecurity/defense,infotech or clean tech.

The division is a partner with Volusia County’s citiesand chambers of commerce to promote the growth ofbusinesses and the creation of new jobs in theircommunities.

Call or visit our web site at floridabusiness.org fordetailed information about available services.

Business growth.Training. Exporting.Start-ups. And much more.

Ready to grow your business?We are ready to help.

Volusia County Economic Development Division, Daytona Beach International Airport, 700 Catalina Drive, Suite 200, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

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