Volusia County recognizes the importance of supporting our local companies by encouraging them to seek out and develop new opportunities to sell their locally produced products and services.

Volusia County, Florida

The DOED acts as a facilitator for local companies, identifying the company’s needs and arranging for product research, shipping and other matters to be investigated for the company by the appropriate State or Federal agency.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

sponsored by the Volusia County Department of Economic Development

We are ready to invest in Volusia County companies to help boost their EEEEEEEEEEEuuuuuuurrropopeeeeeeeeaaaaaaannnnn tttrrraaaaaadddddeeee business …

Increase your sales in Europeor sell in Europe for the first time–Volusia County wants to encourage and assist your company to create or expand your export sales in the European market. The county’s Department of Economic Development has received an International Trade Grant to support Volusia County manufacturing companies like yours to expand or create new markets in Europe.

Whether it is market research, trade show participation, or scheduling meetings with potential customers, we want to be your partner. Don’t hesitate to contact us with your thoughts, questions or particular interests. Grants to fund your company’s efforts are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Call now…Paul Mitchell, International Trade SpecialistVolusia County Department of Economic Developmentpmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us 386.248.8048 floridabusiness.org

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Volusia County’s Department of Economic Development works in partnership with Trade Specialists from the U. S. Commercial Service and with Florida’s International Trade Program which is sponsored by Enterprise Florida. This unique team provides an effective one on one consultation with local companies interested in selling their products overseas.

The U.S. Department of Commerce/U.S. Commercial Service offers a unique opportunity for companies seeking new sales markets overseas. Through the Gold Key Program, a company is able to:

identify potential international markets for their products; receive personalized assistance in finding potential customers, product representatives, or product licensing opportunities; appointments with prescreened potential buyers at locations around the world; customized market and industry briefings with in-country trade experts; market research on a particular industry; assistance with travel, accommodations, interpreter service and other logistics;

The Department of Economic Development provides a Gold Key Matching Grant Program which provides reimbursement for up to

charged by the U.S. Commercial Service for a Gold Key. This program has supported local companies in their quest to sell their products in the Caribbean , Mexico and China.

The Department of Economic Development sponsored a Gold Key trade mission to the Bahamas in June 2005. Three local manufacturers participated–Costa del Mar Sunglasses, Florida Gourmet Foods, and Heavenly Cheesecakes. All returned home with orders.

In 2005, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce, on behalf of the U.S. Commercial Service, presented Volusia County with a Certificate of Appreciation for developing International Trade.

From 2005 through 2007, non-agricultural exports from Volusia County increased by some $80 million, or approximately 42% and totaled over $273 million for 2007.

In 2008, the County was awardeda grant of $60,000from Enterprise Florida to assist withpromoting exports of Volusia County productsto the European Union

The first phase of the European initiative was to sponsor two Volusia manufacturers, Raydon and Germfree Laboratories to attend a trade mission to the Defendory military trade show in Athens, Greece in October 2008.

The companies participated in 36 separate meetings with potential purchasers, as well as government representatives from Greece and Turkey, resulting in:

ora return of $42,000 in sales for each $1 spent in sponsorship.

(Approximately $12,000 of grant fundswere expended)

Grant funds were also used to sponsor a local manufacturers Gold Key mission to Saudi Arabia which resulted in an anticipated $10,000,000 contract.

The second phase of the initiative is to promote a trade mission of horticultural product growers. Horticultural products account for almost $800 million in sales for Volusia County.

Volusia County, FloridaInternational Trade Mission

HortiFair 2009Amsterdam, HollandOctober 13-16

Horti Fair is the largest horticultural showcase in the world and provides an opportunity for smaller growers to go as a group to learn and develop sales leads for their products.

At the present time, 16 of our smaller growers have expressed an interest in participating in this trade mission. Six industry representatives from Florida Horticultural Associations have also expressed a desire to participate.

The U.S. Embassy, U.S. Commercial Service, and Enterprise Florida have been active participants in the planning of this mission and are arranging Embassy briefings, sales appointments and site visits.

While the costs per participant have not yet been finalized, it is anticipated that each grower would receive a reimbursement from the grant funds for approximately $1500. Grant funds would fully cover the costs for County representatives.