Three of the key areas on which the CEP focuses to drive our mission is Business Attraction, Business Retention, and Business Creation. Each of these areas is equally important as we seek to be the catalyst for a more prosperous community by serving as the voice of the business community and working to create and retain jobs and provide a return on investment for our partners. Not only are they equally important, but each has had recent successes.

Business Attraction

The CEP was able to officially announce recently that Mestizo Foods had purchased the former Golden Flake facility and would be establishing their headquarters and manufacturing operations here. Mestizo is a private label and third party snack food manufacturer. In other words, you will never see their brand on the store aisle, but you may very well purchase their products when you buy store-label potato chips or other snacks. The company will be adding 200 employees over the next year and looks forward to being an active corporate citizen. [Read more…]

The Lady Lake Police Department cannot function effectively without the assistance of concerned, responsible residents.  We are depending on YOU to call and tell us whenever you see suspicious persons or activity.

Some residents fail to call the police simply because they are not aware of what seemingly innocent activities should be considered suspicious. Others may recognize suspicious activity and be hesitant to call for fear of being thought of as the neighborhood “busy-body.”  Yet others simply assume that someone else has already called the police. [Read more…]

MARION COUNTY, FL (October 16, 2017)

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) will be participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative is a safe, convenient and anonymous way of disposing of prescription drugs and preventing them from falling into the hands of those who might abuse them. This is a one-day event where Marion County citizens can bring in their unused or unwanted prescription medications to three MCSO locations. [Read more…]

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is getting to speak to different groups. Big groups or small, business people or social groups, it really does not matter. I love talking about our community and the role of the CEP. Regardless of the size of the group, the nature of the questions is often the same – “What is the new building going up . . .” and “When will get a  . . .” Usually, I know the answer or at least can proffer an educated guess. In this issue, I would like to highlight some of the most frequently asked new building questions.

What are those building going up near FedEx?

If you have not taken a moment and driven down NW 35th Ave into the Ocala-Marion County Commerce Park, I would encourage you to do so. Just past the new FedEx Ground Hub one can see two large buildings under construction. The building to the east is the new AutoZone Distribution Center. This facility is covers more than 440,000 sq. ft. and will serve AutoZone stores in Florida and Puerto Rico. The facility to the north or just past FedEx is the new Chewy.com Fulfillment Center. This building will encompass 620,000 sq. ft. Combined both facilities represent nearly 1.1 MILLION sq. ft. of new space. Eventually these three companies will employ approximately 1,500 workers. [Read more…]

At the CEP, things are always changing. We are looking for ways to provide an ever greater return on investment for our partners and for the community. We are excited to announce a new program to encourage entrepreneurs and two new team members who have recently join us.

1 Million Cups-Ocala

Ocala soon will be the newest home of a national program to engage, educate and connect local entrepreneurs. 1 Million Cups — based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee — is a free, weekly gathering that helps to build startup communities on a grassroots level. [Read more…]

We are #1 (or at least a finalist)! I am very excited to share that the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) has been named a finalist for the 2017 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The CEP along with the other three finalists for the award will be celebrated at a special event on Tuesday, July 18, in Nashville, Tenn., with the winner to be announced that evening.

This is an incredible testament to the success of our partners and leadership in implementing their vision with our Moving Forward campaign. We are excited for this recognition and to shine a light on the great work being done in this community.

Chamber of the Year is the nation’s only award recognizing the leadership role chambers have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, business development and quality of life. [Read more…]

By A.J.(Tony) Powell.

Are you tired of all the ranting broadcasters, TV personalities and ‘reader letters’ which are dominated by a lot of heat but very little light?

The Democrats, under President Obama, tried and failed to come up with a workable Health Care Plan.

Now, Trump admits that he can’t do as he promised – Lower premiums and Full Coverage for all.

Why do working tax-payers have to subsidize politicians and government workers? Why do we need Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, and so many other Government run fiascoes?

Why are our veterans pushed off into over-crowded, second-rate facilities often many miles from where they live? Our military should have a ‘Front-Door-Pass’ to the best medical facility they can find.

Trumps Republican opponents in the House & Senate have failed to pass their ‘Robbing Hoods’ plan.

(As I’m sure you know ‘Robin Hood’ stole from the rich, to help the poor. I don’t have to expand on ‘Robbing Hoods’ – Do I?) [Read more…]