Last month I highlighted several areas describing the economic growth our community has experienced throughout 2021. This month I am excited to highlight three more areas.

Healthcare

An item which can no longer be denied is the growth of Ocala as a regional healthcare hub. Continued investments and expansions by AdventHealth Ocala, Ocala Regional Medical Center, and West Marion Community Hospital have added beds, new service lines, and increased access to care throughout the community, all while continuing to provide amazing care through the pandemic. ORMC is adding a floor to finish its critical care tower while West Marion has begun work on a third tower with plans for an inpatient rehab and more beds. AdventHealth continues to expand services, especially with its refurbished and expanded NICU and its new, free-standing ER in Belleview. At the end of year, the Ocala City Council rezoned approximately 30 acres near US 27 and I-75 for a new hospital—the area’s fourth—being built by UF Health.

Downtown

The continued growth and redevelopment of the downtown core is truly something in which every citizen can take pride. New restaurants and establishments such as Cantina and Mutiny opened this year with several more in the works including the long-awaited Mellow Mushroom. The expanded Reilly Arts Center opened its new black box theater and lobby areas which doubled the size of this popular entertainment venue. Further down Tuscawilla Park, the new Artpartments opened with 27 apartments. Several major residential developments were kicking off at the end of the year, including the Watula South Townhomes, Lamplighter Legacy luxury apartments, and Brick City Lofts. Activity and interest in downtown remains high with a number of exciting projects in the pipeline in the Midtown portion of downtown.

Tourism

Finally, it would be impossible to discuss business growth in 2021 and not discuss the World Equestrian Center. This incredible complex had its soft opening in December 2020 and rolled out hard into the year. Featuring five indoor arenas, 25 outdoor arenas, 2800+ permanent barn stalls, a beautiful 250-room luxury hotel, and 8 restaurants, WEC has become a destination for equestrians and non-equestrians alike. With more than 700 employees and an annual economic impact already well north $100 million, this complex has single-handedly reimagined the local tourism economy. Work had begun at the end of the year on Phase 2, which will bring 80,000 sq. ft of retail, more meeting space, and a 400-room hotel by mid-2024.

Another project which kicked-off construction in 2021 and will open in early 2022 is the new Florida Aquatic Swimming and Training (FAST) facility. This $30 million facility being built as a part of the new Calesa master-planned community just south of the airport is truly a one-of-a-kind competition aquatic center. Featuring indoor and outdoor competition pools, seating for 2000 spectators, and state of the art scoreboards and timing systems, this facility has the capacity and ability to host major national level events. When in opens in March, Ocala will boast two major tourism draws that will significantly expand the local tourism economy and all the businesses which support it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CEP – Click to learn more

Subscribe to Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required
Newsletter and/or digital publication