EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine May 2019 | Page 12

E
conomic development teams across the country are focused
on growing their local economies, in part by diversifying
their private sector job markets. For those working on
Volusia County’s behalf, global businesses are a key part of
the equation.
Recruiting international companies takes a team effort as
Keith Norden, CEO and President of the Team Volusia Economic
Development Corporation, will tell you.
Each year, Team Volusia attends international trade shows
focused on target industries like aerospace, aviation and advanced
manufacturing, to showcase the area’s attributes and speak directly
with decision makers, while extending an invitation to tour
Volusia County.
“We have a dynamic outreach program that includes dozens of
initiatives annually including select trade shows and exhibitions
serving targeted industries, direct sales missions, and more,
including some of the world’s largest international events,”
said Norden.
Collaboration among Volusia County’s Economic Development
Division, Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation, the
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CEO Business Alliance, Enterprise Florida and other organizations
allows for highly effective recruitment efforts, tailored to the
specific needs of the individual company according to Norden.
“The County of Volusia is the largest investor, public or private,
in the Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation (TVEDC)
and we rely on that organization to effectively market Volusia
County to firms in the U.S. and overseas,” said Rob Ehrhardt,
Economic Development Director for Volusia County.
“The County is also the designated ‘primary partner’ to
Enterprise Florida (EFI) whose efforts include, but are not limited
to, attracting Foreign Direct Investment to the State of Florida,”
said Ehrhardt.
Once a United States or international firm has been successfully
attracted to the area, the Volusia County Economic Development
Division, CEO Business Alliance and Team Volusia Economic
Development Corporation develop a value proposition in
partnership with local stakeholders, including cities, higher
education, and chambers of commerce, addressing the business
objectives for that particular company.