The Business Development Partnership and Volusia County embarked upon an economic development study to review the economic delivery system county-wide with the intent of developing a new comprehensive, efficient program for a strong business climate and future economic growth.

The next step in this plan is a public hearing tonight, Monday, November 23rd at 6:30pm at Stetson University in Deland (Stetson Room in the Carlton Union Building). A public hearing will assist in determining the current and future needs of the business community by allowing for input from key stakeholders.

Jim McGraw, President, KMK Consulting, will discuss in detail the process and findings to date and the recommended plan moving forward.

The objective of this multi-phase plan is to develop a world-class economic development program that will aggressively seek to identify and close quality projects. Using a regional marketing approach, it would create a "brand strategy" that will link the four segments of Volusia under a single, most recognizable name in the State of Florida.

For details or questions on this matter, please contact George Mirabal, Executive Vice President, BDP, at (386) 255-0981, ext. 236.

The DB City Commission is hosting a workshop regarding the homeless on Wednesday, October 15, from 4-5:15 pm at City Hall. Last year, the Chamber's Homeless Issues Committee worked to facilitate a 10-Year-Plan to End Homelessness for the Volusia-Flagler Coalition for the Homeless - a blueprint to guide the community on how to address the issue in the coming years.

A major point was that we not necessarily seek continued funding but to "redirect" money that is already being spent and use if for different purposes. For example, Halifax Health has a physician at the Homeless Assistance Center each week to treat the individuals for routine ailments. At the same time, this saves Halifax Hospital significant money in their ER.

The Chamber is also encouraging other Volusia communities to recognize their responsibilities regarding homeless individuals in their own backyard instead of letting it be perceived as just a "Daytona problem."

The Chamber sees addressing the homeless as an economic development issue, i.e., any community with an overflow of homeless has an evermore difficult hurdle to land new business.

How would you suggest we seek to manage the homeless situation in the Daytona Beach area? Has the local homeless situation had an impact on your business?

The Business Development Partnership and the Economic Services Alliance will be holding a Business 2 Business Expo, presented by Microsoft, at the Ocean Center on November 18, 2009. The Business 2 Business Expo will combine exhibit space, breakout sessions and speakers to attract an audience of the community's business leaders. The one-day show is being developed to give more flexibility for business owners and attendees on busy schedules.

The BDP is incorporating a CEO Breakfast, the Annual Lunch, an evening reception and other speakers into this event. Speakers include Jon Gordon, author and consultant, and John Brandt, founder and CEO of the MPI Group.

The Expo will kick off with a vendor set-up reception on Tuesday, November 17th. The L. Gale Lemerand Entrepreneurial Speaker Series will host Warren Brown, founder and owner of Cake Love and former host of "Sugar Rush" on Food Network.

The B2B Expo is the perfect venue to showcase your products or services! For booth and sponsorship information, contact Sam Goodwin at 255-0981, ext. 233 or Samuel@daytonachamber.com.

Check out this video

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On June 26th, Volusia County Association for Responsible Development (VCARD) will partner with the Volusia League of Cities and the Business Development Partnership to present an educational program on opportunities available through properties designated as Brownfields. Brownfields are select properties whose previous use complicates redevelopment due to actual or "perceived" contamination.

The program will provide valuable information about the lucrative financial and economic incentives available to local governments and development professionals when updating some previously-developed properties. Included in this mix are many tracts within enterprise zones and community redevelopment districts.

Panelists will include representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Florida Brownfields Association, Volusia County Department of Economic Development’s Interim Director Phil Ehlinger, and CobbCole Land Use Attorney Chris Challis.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the Daytona Beach International Airport’s second floor Volusia Room. The cost to attend is $23, which includes lunch afterward.

A limited number of sponsorship display tables are available at the program to VCARD member firms wishing to promote their services – particularly consulting firms that work in brownfields development or local government officials who would like to promote their prospective brownfield sites and opportunities. For details, call VCARD at (386) 257-4169.

NOTE: Approval is pending from the American Planning Association (APA) for members of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) to receive certification maintenance credits for attending this June 26 educational forum.