SHARE:
Economic yearbook 2011
Space Coast - Yearbook
Daytona bEACH / VOLUSIA County
 Daytona International has a new president and a $20-million renovated track. [Photo: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images] |
| Volusia Population: 506,251 | ||||
| Population Growth Rate (2007-11): 0.37% | ||||
| Population by Age: | ||||
| 0-14 |
15-19 | 20-39 | 40-64 | 65+ |
| 15.7% | 5.9% | 23.4% | 34.0% | 20.9% |
| Per Capita Income: $32,201 | ||||
VOLUSIA COUNTY GOALS
Attract more festivals and eco-tourism events.
Retain jobs and attract new businesses through newly created Team Volusia.
Build support for restoring Amtrak passenger train service to Daytona Beach.
Stepping up
to the Plate
ROOKIE PLAYER: TeamVolusia — Launched in late 2010 by local government and industry leaders, Team Volusia's challenge is to get the county and more than a dozen communities working together. Helen Cauthen, a veteran business recruiter from North Carolina, was tapped to be the first CEO. A predecessor, Enterprise Volusia, disintegrated in 2001 amid infighting. Team Volusia hopes to find more success in part by keeping recruitment as private as possible, through a separate group called the CEO Business Alliance. Funded by private donors, the entity can recruit without violating Florida's Sunshine Law. Former Daytona State College President Kent Sharples was hired in January to be its full-time recruiter.
EMERGING STAR: Teledyne ODI — The Daytona Beach business originally known as Ocean Design is now the global leader in producing electrical and fiber-optic connection systems for deep-sea projects. Business took off after it was acquired by Teledyne Technologies in 2006 and fully merged in 2009. Employment has surged from 200 before the acquisition to about 325. Teledyne ODI made headlines in 2010 for crafting a key sensor and cable system that helped BP monitor and cap its blown deepwater well in the Gulf of Mexico.
HEAVY HITTER: Daytona International/ISC — Other than its beaches, the iconic business and economic driver of Daytona Beach and Volusia County is without a doubt Daytona International Speedway and its owner, International Speedway Corp. ISC struggled to maintain cash flow and profits in the economic downturn as blue-collar race fans lost jobs and pared spending. The last year the company reported sellouts at any of its 13 tracks was 2008. But ISC is regaining momentum after cutting jobs, costs and ticket prices.
Impact Players
Wendy Libby, president, Stetson University — Wendy Libby made history when she was installed in 2010 as the first woman president in the history of the 126-year-old university. The DeLand school has an enrollment of just over 2,000 but a big impact as a producer of leaders in diverse fields including business and law.
Joie Chitwood III, president, Daytona International Speedway —
 Joie Chitwood III |
Jayne Fifer, CEO, Volusia Manufacturers Association — As CEO of the Volusia Manufacturers Association, representing Volusia and Flagler counties, Fifer has her hands full highlighting the fact that the counties offer more than beaches and tourism. Manufacturing is a vibrant segment, and Fifer is now delivering that message statewide. VMA recently joined the Manufacturers Association of Florida, and Fifer is helping promote the idea of the state creating a manufacturing commission.
