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 »
Even with the slight uptick in the unemployment rate for June, (13.9%), I still believe we are making strides in our economic recovery. As I shared in the June Update, my cautious optimism is based on the trend of recent business relocation and expansion activities occurring in our community: Rasmussen College, Department of Children and Families, Santelli Tempered Glass, Signature Brands, LLC, Cone Distributing, Inc., Scorpion Performance, and FirePrograms. The anticipated job creation and projected capital investment resulting from these businesses is approximately 316 and $32.7 million respectively.
Because the City and County were willing to invest in companies that want to locate or expand in our community, these kinds of capital investments help keep our millage rates reasonable, which in turn helps our local government from having to raise taxes to meet their budgetary responsibilities. New business investment also widens the tax base and contributes significantly to the governments’ ability to provide those essential public services. It is vital that our community continues to invest in companies that demonstrate such a profitable return, and it also sends a powerful message to other companies looking to do business here!
In addition, I had the opportunity to join Enterprise Florida this month as we traveled to Chicago to meet with some of the most highly respected site location consultants, and prominent companies in the nation. While the mood was somewhat somber, (the projects were few and far between), they were very impressed with the Ocala Business Park and the former Taylor, Bean & Whitaker building which have peaked the interest of several potential prospects.
As we begin the transition to the 2010-2011 fiscal year with the first draft of our strategic plan, which incorporates many of the points outlined in John Rhodes’ Economic Development Plan and Marketing Strategy Executive Summary, we encourage you to peruse both documents and offer your comments. We are seeking your input by August 4th to ensure this plan reflects the outcomes that are important to our investors.
Best Regards, Pete Tesch President/CEO
The Marion County Commission partnered with the EDC to commission National Site Location Consultant John Rhodes, Moran, Stahl & Boyer to gather economic intelligence on Marion County’s “site readiness,” to produce a Business Park Study and marketing plan to further the EDC’s business recruitment and expansion efforts.
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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