The Boys & Girls Club of Marion County was invited to meet and skate with Erin Jackson.

Ocala native and former Boys & Girls Club member, Erin Jackson, is a world champion inline speed skater and the first African-American woman to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Long Track Speed Skating Team. After winning 11 world championship medals and more than 45 national championships in a decorated inline skating career, Erin transitioned to the ice in 2017 to pursue her Olympic dream. Less than a year later, the 25-year-old phenom earned a spot on Team USA [Read more…]

It was a great event. Ribbon cutting celebration and open house at Brookdale Chambrel Pinecastle to  show off their facility. The Independent Living /Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care facility is one of the best. The event was well attended by residents and CEP/Ocala Chamber of Commerce members. The food was great, prepared in house. Great DJ, and staff. While I was there I shared an elevator to the second floor with a nice looking elderly lady. I asked “do you live here? She said “yes I do!” I asked “how do you like it here?” She replied “The staff here does a great job.” Pictured here are the staff, residents and visitors group dancing to music. Before it was over everyone was dancing. Great fun and I’m sure the residents loved it.

CVS has been in business since 1972 providing excellent home improvements for N Central Florida residents. Over the years, CVS has established an impeccable service record with over 68,000 home improvement projects completed and along with that, some very satisfied customers.  For over eighteen (18) consecutive years, CVS was voted the “Best of the Best” by the customers they serve. For all of your replacement windows screen enclosures, garage screen doors and many other home improvements, call Bobby at 352-425-0317 and visit www.cvswindowsfl.com.

There are so many incredible things happening in our community. The coming months will see the announcement of new primary employers and major expansions by existing primary employers. The Power Plant Business Incubator continues to help innovative and scalable startups primarily in the areas of technology, health care, and communications. The downtown area continues to generate enthusiasm with the new midtown plan, an ever-growing line up of restaurants and stores, and the long awaited hotel project set to break ground by the end of summer. All of this excitement and growth is in large part the result of our partners. Thank you for your engagement and investment in moving Ocala and Marion County forward.

Leadership Ocala Marion

Spring brings warmer weather, high school proms and graduations, and the beginning of planning for the CEP’s amazing leadership programs. For 30 years, Leadership Ocala Marion (LOM) has been training and providing opportunities to train new generations of leaders on the needs of this community and how they can engage. [Read more…]

Last month, I outlined the successes of the CEP’s inaugural five-year plan, Moving Forward. In fact, this plan was reached a full year early. This month’s column will be focused on outlining the recently adopted Moving Forward-Phase II plan which seeks to continue to grow and diversify the local economy.

Moving Forward – Phase II

Just like its predecessor, this plan did not just happen. It is the result of months of discussion and research by the CEP staff and Board of Directors. Once again, the Board asked economist Dr. Sharon Younger to assist them in the creation of this plan. She provided an incredible layer of analysis and detail to assist the Board including a significant amount of data on how the Ocala MSA and the CEP compare to our ten benchmark communities.

[Read more…]