Business

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Collections at the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority increased nearly 20 percent for February compared to 2009 figures.

DELAND -- Volusia County’s Purchasing and Contracts Division will hold two workshops in June for vendors wanting to learn more about how to do business with the county.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport decreased 4 percent in April, compared with April 2009.

Courtesy photo.

Aerial view of the sprawling Pavilion at Port Otrange, which includes Belk, which is having a special sale Saturday.

PORT ORANGE -- Belk will hold its annual Spring Charity Sale Saturday to benefit local charities, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the company's 16-state market area, including the local Belk at the Pavilion at Port Orange.

A $5 ticket entitles customers to merchandise discounts ranging from an extra 20 to 70 percent on items throughout the store, including special savings on rarely discounted brands. Customers will also receive $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more at the event, and Belk cardholders will receive double Rewards points (and Belk Elite cardholders triple Rewards points) for card purchases.

The first 100 customers in each store will receive free Belk gift cards, ranging in value from $5 to $100, and a chance to win one of three $1,000 Belk gift cards being awarded company-wide.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- With the April 15 deadline approaching, there are various services that offer free tax preparation help for qualifying taxpayers. In addition to free, in-person tax return preparation assistance, most sites also offer free electronic filing so you can get your refund faster.

Certified volunteers receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across Florida.

Who qualifies for free tax preparation help?

DAYTONA BEACH -- Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 15 percent in February compared with February 2009.

During February, 42,803 passengers flew in and out of the county-operated airport. This compares with 37,283 travelers recorded in February 2009. The passenger traffic increase in February is the result of more seats being offered by Delta and U.S Airways. The traffic increase in February marks the fourth consecutive month of traffic growth over the same month the previous year.

PORT ORANGE -- Belk invites Florida charities, schools and other nonprofit organizations to participate in its Spring Charity Sale on May 1 at its brand new store at the Pavilion of Port Orange. The event will once again benefit communities throughout the company's 16-state market area, including the newest in Port Orange, off Interstate 95, a 10-minute drive north from New Smyrna Beach.

WASHINGTON DC -- Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach (FL-24), announced that new, common-sense rules will go into effect today help protect credit card holders from a wide range of unfair practices.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. Some 400 people showed up for the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce's "Mardi Gras Casino Night" on Friday night at Hidden Lakes Golf Club. At far left is Deltona resident Audrey Ostoyic. In the middle are Chamber volunteer Kenneth Bohannon and Chamber President Sue Willams. In the top right are Realtor Tom Alcorn and below right is Chamber Executive Director Steve Dennis.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Audrey Ostoyic made it a night out Friday with hubby, Bill, at the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce's "Mardi Gras Casino Night" at Hidden Lakes, a fundraider for the business advocacy entity.

Passenger traffic at Daytona Beach International Airport increased 23 percent in January compared to January of the previous year, Volusia County officials said.