Finding the 'green' in Brownfields: The Economic Benefits of Redevelopment

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.

Mark your calendar - BDP Power Breakfast, March 20

On Friday, March 20 at 7:45 a.m. the Business Development Partnership will hold its semi-annual Power Breakfast seminar at Sunset Harbor Yacht Club.

"The Economics of Healthcare" will include a presentation by Jeff Feasel, President & CEO of Halifax Health. There will also be a panel discussion including Mark LaRose, Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial; Lucky Dunn, Florida State University Medical School; Alma Dickson, Bethune-Cookman University School of Nursing; Angeline Bushy, University of Central Florida and Jeff Feasel, Halifax Health. Moderating the discussion will be Joe Petrock, Halifax Medical Center Foundation Director.

This breakfast seminar will be sponsored by the University of Central Florida. The cost to attend is $20 for BDP members, $25 for non-members. To register, call Gail Miller at 255-0981, ext. 229 or e-mail gail@daytonachamber.com.

BDP Annual Lunch Recap

On Thursday, November 13, the Business Development Partnership held its Annual Lunch at Indigo Lakes Banquet Center in Daytona Beach.

The event recapped the year, which included reorganization and the addition of two sub-committees, the Economic Services Alliance and the International Trade Alliance. Each of these organizations serves Volusia and Flagler county businesses in the hopes of growing our local economy and promoting businesses and economic development.

The program included a presentation from keynote speaker Susan Story, President & CEO of Gulf Power Company, which services north Florida. Story has been actively involved in education and the business community, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Florida Chamber, Enterprise Florida, Florida’s Great Northwest Economic Development Council, and several other organizations throughout her career.

Story’s presentation focused on the importance of education and training opportunities for the workforce. She highlighted key findings in a study by the Conference Board, including three necessary work skills of employees, good communication skills, professional work ethic, and teamwork.

A big thank you goes out to Indigo Lakes for hosting our approximately 75 attendees, and to our sponsors of the Annual Lunch, BE & K Building Group, and the University of Central Florida.

Business Development Partnership Updates

The Business Development Partnership will be hosting its Annual Lunch next Thursday, November 13, 2008, at Indigo Lakes Golf Club Banquet Center in Daytona Beach. Registration will begin around 11:30 a.m., and the program will conclude around 1:30 p.m.

If you haven't already registered for this event, please contact Gail Miller at 386/255-0981, extension 229, or gail@daytonachamber.com. The cost is $25 for members. Susan Story, President & CEO of Gulf Power Company will be our speaker.

On Tuesday, November 18, 2008, the Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College will be hosting a course called Exporting 101 - Introduction to Exporting. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Mori Hosseini Center Building, 1200 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. The cost to attend is $45, which includes the program, lunch, 2 coffee breaks and cookies.

For more information, visit the website at www.floridaexporter.com/Daytona101, or contact Doris Bernal at 386/506-3582 or at bernald@daytonastate.edu.

The Business Development Partnership and the newly formed International Trade Alliance are supporting this Exporting 101 program.

Check out the BDP website at www.choosedaytona.com!

The Business Development Partnership recently partnered with the Daytona Beach Area Association of Realtors to incorporate on our website, http://www.choosedaytona.com/, an MLS database listing of properties. This collaboration will greatly enhance the BDP website as it will host thousands of commercial real estate property and buildings throughout Volusia County. Both our members and national site selectors will benefit greatly from this project.