Volusia Business Resources

08/06/2026

#️⃣1️⃣ Florida has been ranked the No. 1 state in the nation for higher education for 10 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report.

To commemorate this milestone, the State University System of Florida is partnering with public universities statewide to award to eligible students who share why they chose their institution to pursue their higher education goals.

🎓 Each participating Florida public university will award 10 scholarships of up to $1,000 to eligible undergraduate students through the Florida 10 for 10 Scholarship Initiative. Awards will be applied toward Spring 2027 financial aid.

Applications open Aug. 3 and close Oct. 2. View the list of institutions to access the application portal at https://www.flbog.edu/news/events/fl10for10/

08/06/2026

💰 Small Business Grant Alert!

The Hey Helen Grant is a privately funded initiative by visionaries who invest in women entrepreneurs building impact-driven, for-profit businesses in the U.S. Each grant cycle, one founder will receive a $10,000 unrestricted cash award — designed to fuel whatever moves their business forward, whether that’s operations, growth, marketing, hiring, or infrastructure.

The grant is open to businesses that are:

✔️ 100% women-owned

✔️ Generate less than $1 million in annual revenue

✔️ Legally registered in the U.S. Note there is a $15 administrative fee to apply.

⏰ The application deadline is 5 p.m. Aug. 30. Learn more at https://visionaries.co/helen-grant/

08/03/2026

Sign up for this free Business Preparedness webinar and be ready for disaster before it strikes. The Southeast Volusia Manufacturing and Technology Coalition will host a training session focused on disaster preparedness and business continuity.

📅 Date: Aug. 11
⏰ Time: 2 to 3 p.m.

Key topics include business continuity planning and an overview of the SBA Disaster Loan Program including eligibility, loan limits, and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.

The presentation will be led by the Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to strengthen your organization’s resilience.

Register by Aug. 10 to receive the Microsoft Teams webinar link at

Resiliency & Recovery Training to Help Businesses Maintain Operations During & After Disasters Sign Up August 11, 20262:00PM – 3:00PMVirtual Training(Microsoft Teams)REGISTRATION REQUIRED Topics include, but are not limited to: Business Continuity PlanningOverview of Disaster Loan Program (Eligibi...

07/29/2026

🍽 Would you like to fill up more tables in your restaurant this September?

💻Sign up for the Savor September Restaurant Month. The goal of this free program will give visitors and locals a chance to explore the diverse dining options in the Daytona Beach area. The Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will promote the program through influencers, social media, content creators, and other media outlets, and will work with local chambers and food organizations to spread the word.

📅 Deadline to submit a menu item and sign up is July 29. To participate in the 2026 Savor September program, restaurants need to meet specific criteria. Review the restaurant participation guidelines at https://www.daytonabeach.com/savor-september/sign-up/

07/28/2026

📣Small Business Grant Alert!

Now in its fourth year, the AT&T Small Business Contest will award one small business a $50,000 grant along with a prize package that includes one year of AT&T service with a new device, mentorship resources, and a featured AT&T content story alongside talent from the “She’s Connected” initiative. Four runners-up will each receive a $5,000 small business grant. The contest is open to U.S.-based small businesses with 99 or fewer employees.

⌛Applications are open until July 31 at https://more.att.com/shesconnected/ -business-contest. Finalists will be notified no later than Sept. 30

The AT&T Small Business Contest provides one small business a $50,000 grant, Internet connectivity and more. Apply for a chance to take your small business to the next level!

07/27/2026

Businesses are invited to join County Schools to learn about work-based learning opportunities available to VCS students consisting of internships pre-apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and other career-connected experiences at one of two upcoming information meetings.

Meeting Dates:

📅 July 29 📍Mainland High School Auditorium, Daytona Beach
📅 July 30 📍DeLand High School Auditorium, DeLand
⏰Both meetings will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

These meetings are intended for juniors and seniors and their families who are interested in participating in Work-Based Learning, as well as business partners and community members interested in becoming approved Work-Based Learning worksites.

Learn about the process of becoming an approved worksite partner. Required paperwork will be reviewed, and interested businesses will receive a networking opportunity to connect with students to provide approved work-based learning experiences.

You must register by July 28 to attend at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S3jpkwc1_0C8AVnqihp7cSFcYg84mixOqYJeJpPXER9UQ0ZWNFNDMjRTTFBOQTc2V0Q3SVRNNlpDUCQlQCNjPTEu&origin=QRCode

07/24/2026

In a significant move aimed at empowering small business growth, the U.S. Small Business Administration increased the cumulative loan limit for its 7(a) and 504 loan programs from $5 million to $10 million, the highest level in agency history, effective July 4.

By doubling the combined loan limits, job creators will be empowered to invest and continue to grow the small business economy.

Read more at

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07/23/2026

County Schools has announced the continuation of its Leadership VCS program, a transformative eight-month initiative designed to bridge the gap between the business community and the school district. To enhance collaboration and mutual growth, the program offers business and community leaders an in-depth understanding of the various departments within VCS.

Through the program, participants will:
🔹Visit schools and district departments and gain firsthand insight into district operations.
🔹Connect with district leadership, principals, teachers, and students.
🔹Explore innovative programs that prepare students for college, careers, and life.
🔹Identify new opportunities to support students through mentoring, volunteering, workforce initiatives, and strategic partnerships.

Duration: Eight monthly sessions
Session Dates: Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 19, Jan. 13, Feb. 4, March 10, April 7, and May 12
Time: 8 a.m. – Noon
Format: Monthly sessions, each highlighting a different Volusia County Schools department
Cost: $300

To apply, complete the online application form by July 31. The second cohort of 25 participants will be notified by Aug. 7, 2026

07/22/2026

Running a small business is a full-time juggling act – managing operations, marketing & sales, systems, customer experience, creative & media, and finances. The Shophand $5k Small Business Boost Grant provides supporting grant funds of $5,000 to help U.S.-based small business owners to address technology or operational challenges. Awarded three times per year, winners receive $2,500 in unrestricted cash and $2,500 in Shophand technical support and services give their business a boost.

Applications are open through Aug. 1. Learn more about the grant and apply at https://www.shophand.com/small-business-boost-grant

*Please note we do not endorse any loans, grants or award programs listed in this section. Many grants and award programs may require a membership fee and/or an application fee to apply. We highly recommend you perform due diligence before providing your contact information and/or applying.

Applications are open for the Shophand $5k Small Business Boost Grant! Running a small business is a full-time juggling act — operations, marketing, systems, customers, finances, content, and somehow remembering to eat lunch. Technology should make that easier… but most small business owners don...

07/21/2026

📢 Attention, Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners! Mark your calendar for Sept. 30 for the Volusia Business Resources Funding Readiness 2026 Workshop.

Get the guidance you need to secure financial support for your business this workshop designed to help make your funding journey a success.

📅 Date: Sept. 30, ⏰ Time: 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Sanborn Center, 815 S. Alabama Ave., DeLand

*This event is offered at no cost. Registration will open soon.

🎓 Learn from Experts: Get insights from lenders, financial professionals, and small business consultants who will offer practical advice on navigating the complex lending process.
💰 Become Funding Ready: Attendees will learn what lenders and investors expect before applying for funds, how to organize their financials, and identify the funding options that best suit their business needs.

Get a jump start on preparing for your funding journey by visiting the VBR Funding Readiness Center at https://www.volusiabusinessresources.com/funding-readiness/