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Yesterday marked the dawn of a new day in the collaborative community efforts toward economic development. The Marion County Board of County Commissioners joined with the City of Ocala and the State of Florida to approve the Intellon expansion project for Downtown Ocala. The EDC was proud to partner with Intellon to structure the propoals and bring Enterprise Florida (EFI) to the table. Since both the City and County have committed, EFI is contributing $275,000 toward this economic project for our community! We look forward to more successul ventures like this one as together we move toward economic recovery! This Economic Update is intended to share our third Quarterly Report on activity through June 30, but it was such good news, I thought it needed to be shared now. As you read below, the Intellon project was one of nine expansion projects of local companies, and eleven new companies considering Ocala as their business destination. We look forward to reporting an increase in job creation numbers by the end of our fiscal year. At the EDC's Board of Directors June meeting, we presented new marketing concepts for a joint campaign to promote our community. Those concepts will be presented to the City and County in the coming weeks to gain their support as we move forward with an aggressive recruitment and retention agenda. We also presented our new database integration with LoopNet to provide a live feed of available commercial properties. The Available Properties page on the EDC Web site now has a filtered search for desired property with mapping and demographic reports available for each location. While we are still experiencing the pain of this strained economy, there are clear indicators that there is light at the end of the tunnel. If we at the EDC can help your company in any way, please contact me, or our staff at any time! Best Regards,
Pete Tesch
President/CEO
| The EDC will conduct a broad based campaign to assist with the creation of
2,947 high paying jobs in Ocala/Marion County during the years 2005 – 2009. | Objective 1.1 | Target specific industries for job creation through a comprehensive business attraction/retention effort and marketing plan. | | Through the third quarter of the final year of our five year strategic plan, the number of projected jobs created at the 115% -120% rate is 1,909 (65% of goal), creating $165.5 million in capital investment (95% of goal) and $83.8 million in new payroll (112% of goal). Although no new job creation can be reported for the third quarter, there are currently 9 projects in the works for expansion of local companies and 11 new companies considering Ocala/Marion County as their business destination. Several of these should come to fruition before the end of our FY on September 30th. The cumulative number of jobs created for the year is 305 with 305 being at the targeted range of 115% - 120 % of AEPW. The Existing Industry Program yielded 19 company visits this quarter with a total of 50 for the year. EDC staff is actively working with the “Bulls Eye” companies to support the case for economic diversification with the growth of technology–enabled businesses. Intellon has joined Lockheed Martin and IHMC in this process. In addition to IHMC’s plans for a grand opening of their facility in late August/early September, City Council approved a grant in the amount of $359,000 from their Economic Investment Program to support Intellon's expansion. Intellon will also go before the County Commission on July 7th to seek approval for their investment in this project. If successful, our community will see a return on that investment with the retention of 60 high-paying jobs and the creation of 10 new jobs paying on average $100,000 per year. The Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center, financed by the FHTCC, has been updated and redesigned to be more user friendly. Currently FLVEC.com is linked to the EDC, Ocala/Marion County Chamber, Workforce Connection and CFCC. Communications In the third quarter, The Stratecation Campaign called executives in 131 specifically targeted companies. 3 appointments were also made with South Florida companies, and there are 108 “Works In Progress” (executives who requested follow-up calls and notifications for possible projects in the future). Currently developing an aggressive marketing campaign to promote Ocala/Marion County with an emphasis on available business/commerce park sites. The plan in concept was presented to the EDC Board of Directors on June 24th, and will be presented to the County Commission on July 13th and the City Council at a later date. It is designed to illustrate the collaborative effort between the City, County and EDC to promote our community as an excellent place to bring or expand businesses and create quality jobs. Sponsored with Business Solutions Partners and participated in the Green Business Conference held on June 4th at CFCC which convened nearly 160 business executives, community leaders and elected officials. They received valuable information regarding stimulus dollars and green jobs. Check out the EDC’s Web site, updated on June 30th with the most current statistical information available for all your planning needs The EDC partnered with LoopNet to embed a live, searchable database in the EDC’s Web site page for commercial properties in Marion County. This resource tool will provide potential prospects with a much more current listing of available properties. Click on Available Properties to see the mapping and demographic reports that can be utilized with each listing | Objective 1.2 | Accelerate new and ongoing economic programs to assist new and expanding businesses. Creation of sites is the primary objective for the EDC and its key partners this year. | SITES Discussions continue on coordinating future infrastructure needs in commercial corridors and commerce/business parks including Bay–I property and the creation of 44th Avenue which will have a direct impact on the Cone Distributing, Inc. expansion project. The EDA grant for $3.5 million is in the 30 day review period. If approved, it would provide 75% of the funding for the road with an approximate $800,000 match split between the City and County. The EDC Sites Task Force acted as an advisory board to the County Planning Department to develop an Economic Element with goals and objectives to be incorporated in the updated Marion County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. They also helped to identify potential sites for Business/Commerce Parks and employment activity centers. The final draft document was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 30th and will go before the County Commission in July for final approval. Applied Marketing, Inc. completed the Economic Base Analysis (EBA) which will also be utilized in the updating of the County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The EBA provides a snapshot of current and past industry sectors and employment statistics . Sponsored with City and County, staff participated in the City’s “Airport Unveiling” event held on May 1, 2009 CUSTOMER SERVICE The Customer Service Committee met in April and identified Cone Distributing, Inc., Duratek and Scorpion Performance as the projects that will test the matrix and evaluate the customer service delivery system. WORKFORCE At the end of the 2008/2009 school year, MTI had an enrollment of 380 students. 72 were placed in paid internships throughout the year. 524 nationally recognized certifications were awarded, 244 more than last year. 20 students earned up to 19 college credits, 18 earned between 20 and 29 credits and 10 students earned over 30 college credits. Of the 167 graduating seniors, 26 did so with high honors and 42 with honors. Over 70% intend to pursue a college degree or additional technical education. As of June, over 500 applications were received for the Fall semester for a school staffed for 367 students. There is currently a waiting list to get into MTI which was our goal when the concept of a technical high school in Marion County was first presented less than 5 years ago. The EDC provided the marketing materials which assisted in the student recruitment process. | Objective 1.3 | Build Greater collaboration at State and local levels for seamless attraction and retention process. | EDC Chair Brian O'Connor served as a panelist for Enterprise Florida's (EFI) first Roadmap Strategy Session in May. These sessions, occurring in seven regions across the state, will help EFI present a strategic plan to the state for economic recovery. O’Connor shared the thoughts and strategies of the EDC which emphasize the importance of a diversified economy for Ocala/Marion County. Staff assisted with the organization of Governor Crist’s visit to Ocala/Marion County to sign important economic development legislation which included the Enterprise Zone designation. Lockheed Martin hosted the event. Hosted the Speaker of the House, Larry Cretul as the guest speaker for the Third Quarterly Luncheon to update EDC investors on important legislation passed in the Session ending in May. EDC staff met with Enterprise Florida marketing executives to garner input on the EDC’s proposed marketing initiatives. The EFI team gave a favorable review because the EDC’s plan aligned with their strategies to strengthen the messages on State and local levels. Working with Gainesville CEO and Progress Energy to host the Fifth Annual Site Consultants Weekend September 17 – 19. Consultants will tour the Ocala/Marion County area and get a first hand look at the Ocala Airport Business Park as well as IHMC and Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Headquarters.  The EDC will expand and enhance effective methods to communicate the activities
of the organization to its key investors and partners. | | Objective 2.1 | Retain and grow the EDC’s investment base. | | | Objective 2.2 | Provide on-going accountability to EDC Lead the Way investors and other stakeholders. |  | The EDC will obtain public/private financial support to sustain the planned activities in the annual strategic plan. | | Objective 3.1 | The EDC will raise additional public and private sector funds to assist with the operational aspects of the EDC. | | | The EDC currently has 133 investors with the addition of 2 new investors ($2,000) in the third quarter. 11 investors declined to renew their investments to date ($12,400) bringing the current pledge amount of the Lead The Way Campaign to $2,451,816 over five years. $2,099,363.90 has been collected to date. To date for 2008/2009 fiscal year, $390,725.33 has been invoiced with $374,824.97 collected for a 96% collection rate. An additional $64,859.79 remains to be invoiced through September 2009. The EDC secured funding from both the City and County for the FY 2008/2009 and has worked closely with both entities to prioritize economic development as an essential service. Both the City Manager and County Administrator created departments with personnel dedicated to community sustainability with a strong economic development focus. They will work with the EDC and businesses looking to locate or expand in Ocala/Marion County. The EDC Board of Directors approved the “Skip It Initiative” in May to replace a costly and time consuming fundraising campaign. Instead, a renewal plan has been developed and is in process to secure funding for 2010-2014. Funding goals are set as follows: 60% will be secured by July 1, and 80% by August 1. As of June 30, 61% of goal has been secured. 
Marion County experienced an unemployment rate of 12.1% for May 2009, up from 6.9% a year ago. According to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI), Marion County’s current labor force stands at 139,961 with 16,891 unemployed 
This Economic Update has been developed to meet the communication needs expressed by our investors. The EDC has been asked to provide quick, easy-to-read highlights, with further details just a click away.The Economic Update is the new tool for delivering the Quarterly Report, and other relevent economic updates. Let us know what you think! 
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