Thinking about expanding in or relocating to one of the most diverse markets in the Southeastern United States? Ocala/Marion County, Florida is located in the heart of Central Florida, and the EDC is ready to help you with the business expansion decisions that matter most.
Is your business ready for the next step? The Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Corporation can help!
The EDC has helped dozens of local manufacturing, distribution and service firms make the right move! When it comes to expanding your existing facility or finding a new one, our team can help you with commercial real estate listings, permitting assistance, employee training, available incentives and more! Download Our Brochure on Local Business Investments »
May 2009 Economic Update
It is encouraging to see some of the benefits of collaboration coming to fruition. This month began with the City of Ocala's event to unveil the plans for the Airport Business Park at Ocala International Airport. As you know, the development of business parks is the single most important element necessary for quality job creation and combating our high unemployment rate. Having this “product” to present to companies will give Ocala a competitive advantage in the fight for those quality jobs.
Today, EDC Chair Brian O'Connor hosted Governor Crist at Lockheed Martin's Ocala Operations as he signed House Bill 127 that designates Ocala/Marion County as an Enterprise Zone. The bill passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. House Speaker Larry Cretul and Representatives Kurt Kelly and Charles Chestnut were on hand to witness the signing. This legislation is another bold step that will assist with our recovery efforts.
The EDC’s Sites Task Force has been working diligently with the County’s Planning Department to identify potential sites for business parks and employment activity centers. They are also drafting goals and objectives for the economic element which will be included in the County’s Comprehensive Land Plan. This effort has reached historic proportions because an economic element has never appeared in any previous Comp Plans. It will have an enormous effect on managed growth for our community in the future. For more information on this event, visit the EDC blog.
We look forward to next month with the arrival of House Speaker, Larry Cretul, fresh from this Session, to update EDC investors and share important legislation at our Third Quarterly Luncheon on June 10th.
We greatly appreciate the support of all EDC investors as we continue to strive for "A Constant State of Readiness" for our community.
Best Regards,
Pete Tesch President/CEO
Take a moment to watch the video summary of the Stimulus Briefing. Remember, there are valuable resources linked at the EDC Stimulus Scouts page to assist with your efforts to capture projects that will be funded through the Recovery Act!
As a follow-up, mark your calendar to attend the Green Business Summit on June 4. Click the icon for information and registration!
The EDC is joining CFCC Corporate Training, Workforce Connection, Phillip's Printing and the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce to sponsor this event.
The Florida Economic Development Council ended its annual conference by honoring executives who have volunteered beyond the call of duty to contribute to economic development efforts in their communities. Brian O’Connor was selected as Volunteer of the Year for the North Central Florida Region. O'Connor has long been the champion for a feat accomplished in Marion County of which few communities can boast - a successful, collaborative partnership between the business community and the school system. In 2008, Just three short years after its opening, Marion Technical Institute (MTI) was selected as a Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education.
As a Top 20 High School in the Nation, MTI representatives showcased their best practices case study on building strong partnerships at the 2008 Model Schools Conference, and have been invited to do so again. As a presenter, O’Connor encourages communities across the nation to think outside the box when it comes to education.
Somewhere in all of his volunteering for the EDC and MTI, O'Connor also managed to do well at the job for which he is paid! Lockheed Martin’s Ocala Operations was selected as Manufacturer of the Year by the Manufacturers Assoiation. of Florida, as well as Top 10 in the nation!
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!
.gif)
