Here at the CEP we are big believers in Manufacturing. We believe that we you make stuff, you make wealth.

Manufacturing is an important component to our local economy. We have a strong, diverse manufacturing sector locally. Companies in the metro make everything from fire engines to missile control systems, cake sprinkles to hurricane impact windows and everything in between. With more than 9,000 employees, the Ocala Metro manufacturing sector is one of the largest in Florida.

AdvisorSmith, a business consultancy, ranked the Ocala Metro as a top mid-sized metro (250,000 to 750,000) for manufacturing. The area ranked in the Top 20 of ALL metros for manufacturing output growth and for manufacturing employment growth. Additionally, the Ocala Metro has been ranked #1 or 2 in the growth of our manufacturing employment throughout 2021.

The strength of our manufacturing sector was very much highlighted during the pandemic when our companies not only kept employment strong but grew it throughout 2020.

CEP Annual Luncheon

In early April we hosted our CEP Annual Luncheon. While we normally hold this must-attend event in February, we pushed this year’s date back to the spring to allow for more vaccine implementation. Additionally, instead of the 620-capacity crowd at one location, we spaced out 650 guests through two separate physical locations and an online audience.

While the venue and the setting changed, the importance of the event and the incredibly fun way the CEP team delivers it did not waiver. This year our theme was The Search for the Prosperous Community and employed an Indiana Jones approach. Working with EblanWorxs, a local company which has developed props for movies such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, they provided multiple original Indy props and custom stage props for our event.

The message of the event was really three-fold: 1) our local economy actually thrived through the pandemic thanks to the incredible partnerships; 2) the future is only looking brighter with more growth and opportunity in the pipeline for 2021 and beyond; and 3) all the momentum can be lost in a moment if we as a community stop working together and decide to rest on our laurels. Thankfully, I fully believe that our community’s leadership is embracing the opportunities of the future and will refuse to rest!

We are just beginning to see the fruit of years of hard but diligent work to grow and diverse this local economy. This community is certainly focused on Moving Forward!

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