Business

DAYTONA BEACH -- The public is invited to a workshop about the City of Daytona Beach's wayfinding signage program, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 in City Hall, 301 S. Ridgewood Ave.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the master plan process and receive the public's comments regarding purpose, benefits and schedule of the program, city spokeswoman Susan Cerbone said.

"The workshop will provide attendees the opportunity to give comments for the three-phased project which will create a plan to guide vehicular and pedestrian traffic to venues of interest within the city and create distinct signage," Cerbone said. "City commissioners in August 2012 approved an agreement not to exceed $120,000 with Lassiter Transportation Group to produce a wayfinding master plan."

NSBNews.net photo by Henry Frederick / Whether the Kmart here on State Road 44 is among the 100 to 120 stores targeted for closing by its parent company, Sears Holding Corp. remains to be seen. An announcement was made Tuesday that the store closings, both Kmart and Sears, are the result of lackluster Christmas sales among its 4,000 stores nationwide. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- News today that as many as 120 K-Mart and Sears stores are going to be closed sent a shudder here where the Kmart on State Road has become a lifeline for nearby residents, especially with Walmart closing at the NSB Regional Shopping Center to make way for the Walmart super center further west near the I-95 interchange.

"I think it's sad," 63-year-old Katherine Zow told NSBNews.net as she was heading home a short distance away. "This is an affordable place to shop and we need it now more than ever because the Walmart moved."

VolusiaNews.net and NSBNews.net provide Volusia County with 24 / 7 Internet newspaper coverage for a 21st-century world. 

Courtesy photo / Deltona is renewing its focus o economic development with a new hire.

This 10-acre  vacant beachfront property at 801 S. Atlantic is on the fast track for a $100 million Hard Rock hotel and cafe expected to open just in time for the 2016 running of the Daytona 500.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Like a gourmet meal, a Hard Rock hotel/cafe complex is going to be sandwiched between the World's Most Famous Beach and the super speedway with the high banks where they run the Great American Race.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Passenger traffic is up at Daytona Beach International Airport as shown by the 61,062 incoming and outgoing figures, a 1 percent uptick.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 1 percent in March compared with the same month last year, Volusia County officials said.

During March, the county-operated airport recorded 61,062 incoming and outgoing passengers. This compares to 60,406 travelers recorded in March 2012.

Rick Karl, the airport’s director, attributed the passenger traffic increase in March to higher airline passenger loads although slightly fewer seats were available last March. Delta Air Lines and U.S Airways reported 1,508 fewer seats offered this March compared to last year but passenger loads increased from 89 percent in March 2012 compared to 92 percent this March.  

DAYTONA BEACH -- Dan Francati, the general manager of the Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room, was unanimously approved earlier Tuesday as the chairman.

Michael Kardos was named vice chairman and Steve Farley as secretary-treasurer. All three terms are a year apiece.

DELAND -- The West Volusia Advertising Aurthority has installed new officers on its board of directors. Bill O'Connor was named chair, Sharon Hughes was selected as vice chair and Doug Little as the treasurer. The appointments were made earlier in the day Wednesday.

Campaign encouraged by ICBA and Gateway, Intracoastal, Reunion and Surety

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Independent Community Bankers of America and the local community banks including Gateway, Intracoastal, Reunion and Surety, are kicking off ICBA Community Banking Month by encouraging small business owners and consumers to bank locally.

By doing so, customers will make a hometown investment they can be proud of because community banks put local deposits back to work right where it belongs-in the community.

Promoted in September by Wisconsin parent company Utility Equipment Leasing Corp.

Photo for Headline Surfer / Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation Appoints Ron Starks as Service Mechanic for the Sanford, Florida Service Center Starks brings With more than 25 years of experience in utility equipment maintenance and dedication to customer service, Ron Starks has been promoted to service mechanic for Sanford-based Florida Service Center.

SANFORD -- Meet Ron Starks, promoted last September by the Waukesha, Wisc.-based Utility Equipment Leasing Corp., as service mechanic at its Sanford Service Center, serving the Southeast states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Starks was tasked with providing road service in addition to support at the Sanford Service Center.  He has more than 25 years experience in aerial equipment service throughout the Southeast, the latter 10 years providing primarily road service.