I want to highlight several areas describing the economic growth our community has experienced throughout the last year.
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, HCA Ocala, and HCA West Marion have added beds, new service lines, and increased access to care throughout the community, all while continuing to provide amazing care through the pandemic. We recently cut the ribbon on a new 26,000 sq. ft. cath lab at HCA Ocala wrapping up their revamped tower while at HCA West Marion a third tower was started with the ribbon cutting on 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. Finally, UF Health began work this past year on a new Ocala Neighborhood hospital at US 27 and I-75.
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. Several major residential developments are either under construction or preparing to begin including the Watula South Townhomes, Lamplighter Legacy luxury apartments, and Brick City Lofts. Work should begin later this year on a 2nd parking garage and several projects are finalizing in midtown including the renovation of the Sovereign Building to a boutique hotel.
Tourism
Finally, it would be impossible to discuss business growth 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 7 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 is progressing on Phase 2, which will bring 80,000 sq. ft of retail, more meeting space, and a 400-room hotel by the end of the year.
Another project which opened in the last year 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. The facility is already drawing thousands of competitors and tourists and is furthering redefining our tourism industry.
