Quarterly Articles & Economic Scene
Business News & Resources
How Small Trade Businesses Can Use AI To Compete with the Big Players
July 10, 2026
For years, the small trades service businesses operated at a built-in disadvantage. A national HVAC, plumbing, roofing chain or cleaning brand could afford a call center, a marketing team, and dispatchers who kept every technician moving. The independent operator, meanwhile, was the technician, the dispatcher, the bookkeeper, and the after-hours answering service all at once.
Economic Scene
Creating an Offer People Can’t Resist
July 10, 2026
The next Acuity Business Pass course will teach aspiring entrepreneurs how to create offers customers find difficult to refuse. Participants will learn how to the next Acuity Business Pass course will teach aspiring entrepreneurs how to create offers customers find difficult to refuse.
Tourism Updates
Celebrate America 250 with West Volusia Tourism's CoolCraft American Summer
July 02, 2026
West Volusia Tourism and its partners celebrate America 250 and Florida 250 with the return of CoolCraft Summer, an exclusive West Volusia beverage competition designed to bring visitors and residents together to vote for the best beverages within the region.
Grants & Funding
Grant for Women-Owned Startups
July 02, 2026
WomensNet has a grant opportunity for women still in the idea phase of a business startup or one with minimal sales of under $10,000
Workforce Updates
Career Kick Start Interactive Series for Hospitality, Food & Beverage & Tourism
July 02, 2026
Career Kick Start is a free, interactive online series designed to help job seekers explore, prepare for and launch a career in high-demand industries.
Innovation & Technology
How AI Search Is Changing Online Reputation Management for Small Businesses
July 02, 2026
The rise of AI-powered search tools – like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity and others – is fundamentally changing how information about your business reaches potential customers. These systems don’t hand users a list of 10 links and let them scroll.
Innovation & Technology
35 Iconic Brands that Helped Build America
July 02, 2026
America’s oldest businesses have survived world wars, natural disasters, and economic upheavals by mastering the art of serving generations of Americans, whether for everyday or extraordinary needs.
Economic Scene
Be Your Own Founder and Accelerate Your American-Made Startup
July 02, 2026
Declare your independence and turn your idea into a business startup. Register for LaunchPad Volusia, a nine-week accelerator program led by a certified business instructor.
Economic Scene
Apply for the Cade Prize for Inventivity
June 24, 2026
Named after Dr. Robert Cade, lead inventor behind Gatorade — The Cade Prize for Inventivity celebrates inventors and entrepreneurs who, through an innovative invention, demonstrate a creative approach to addressing problems in their field of expertise.
Economic Scene
Ignite Your Business Idea into a Startup Ready to Launch
June 24, 2026
Are you ready to turn your idea into a business startup? Register for LaunchPad Volusia, a nine-week accelerator program led by a certified business instructor.
