Here at the CEP we are big believers in Manufacturing. We believe that we you make stuff, you make wealth.
Manufacturing is a key 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 12,000 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 consistently been ranked near the top in the growth of our manufacturing employment throughout the last few years. Continue reading
Dear friends,
This month we are continuing our report on the 2023 Legislative Session and all that we accomplished on behalf of Florida’s citizens. Last month we reported to you on some of the big budget items. Over the next few months, our column will focus on reporting on key pieces of legislation that was a priority of the leadership in the Florida Legislature.
HB 837 – For decades, Florida has been plagued by excessive litigation and a legal system that benefitted the lawyers more than people who are injured. Florida families have shouldered the hidden cost of lawsuit abuse. Florida’s litigation environment has cost the state jobs and driven up the cost of goods and services. According to the American Tort Reform Association’s “Judicial Hellhole” Report, lawsuit abuse costs Florida households more than $5000, and costs the state more than 173,000 jobs. HB 837 institutes the most comprehensive tort reform in decades to decrease frivolous lawsuits and prevent predatory practices of trial attorneys that prey on hardworking Floridians. The transformative reforms in this bill will strike the right balance between protecting the rights of Floridians who suffer a loss, while at the same time safeguarding everyone else against the hidden costs of prolonged litigation. Continue reading
by TomL
Sounds pretty simple right? So I thought I would mention it so some of my competitors know how simple it is.
First let’s mention all the national and state agency’s that I correspond with. Everything has change with the information they have. Prices circulation methods of getting to the readers. They answer all of my answers with another questions. Finally I said look I am not filling out any more of your forms. I’m not answering any more questions. Don’t send me any more forms and don’t send them again and again. STOP!
I already am connected to the local, state, and national news, that works. I purchased a 20,000 email list for $1600. How am I going to get this list sent out. I agreed to a contract with Constant Contact to send out 20,000 emails per month with a link to my four newspapers. I had to find someone that was familiar with constant Contact, I found a real fearless Lady who said yes she knew Constant Contact. It is not and easy job if you have never done it before. Continue reading
By TomL
It’s a small world. I met the original Colonel Sanders. My father insured the second Kentucky Fried Chicken in florida. It was the Marant Family Dania Beach Florida. They also put in a warehouse that my dad insured for them. My sister and I went to high school with the Marrants, one girl and two boys. The oldest boy Richard owned the restaurant and Warehouse. Who would have guested how big it was going to get.
I like the buffet so I could pick out the chicken that I liked when I was looking at it. The chicken and the Cole Slaw was out of sight. I think they lost a little bit of money because of the dividing wall separating the incoming customer to the people eating. A couple would come in and one would order the cheapest thing on the menu and the other would order buffet. You know what happened then. If they tore down the wall inside the dining room it would eliminate most of that. Continue reading
By TomL
We need a WARRIOR! A President who is not hiding in his celler. A person who projects fear, fairness, understanding and able to stand up against the FBI / DOJ / and all his enemies, a fighter that will never give up. A person that will go into the trenches and dig a hole to drain the swamp. Cut off the money that pay these people who fabricates story and Lies to ruin people.
DeSantis is not the one, one person I know says he’s boring, another says Donald Trump help him get elected and now he wants to throw him under the bus. Another thing I just heard is DeSantis has taken his money that people gave to run for Governor and is using it to run for President. Is that right . It don’t feel right to me. The state of Florida was in good shape when DeSantis took it over, I grant he has done a few things to build his base because of us the Florida people. The big cities still have crime in florida but you don’t hear a lot about it. Continue reading
LADY LAKE – The Town of Lady Lake invites the public to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Snooky Park, a natural oasis in the heart of historic Lady Lake, named for U.S. Navy veteran Atticus “Snooky” Blanton, who was lost on the USS Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The event will be held on Thursday, June 29 at 10 a.m. at 120 W. Lady Lake Blvd., Lady Lake.
The new park is a natural preserve with a 2,000-foot walking trail, surrounded by a canopy of cedar, live oaks, water oaks and palm trees. It features amenities such as picnic shelters, water fountains and restrooms.
“Snooky Park is a long-awaited passive recreation facility in the Town of Lady Lake,” said Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske. “We are fortunate to have the support of the Commission to help us preserve this beautiful and historic area of Lady Lake.” Continue reading
The Lady Lake Library participated in the Lake County Library System’s Food for Fines program in May. During the month, library fines and overdue materials were forgiven in exchange for donations of dry or canned food items, hygiene and baby products, and packaged pet food.
The Lady Lake Library collected over 1,500 non-perishable food items and donated them to The Lady Lake Christian Food Pantry on East Lady Lake Blvd. Started in 1998, the Food Pantry is an off-campus ministry of North Lake Presbyterian Church that provides supplemental groceries for families in need in Lady Lake, The Villages, Summerfield and Weirsdale.
Pictured left to right: Kourtney Fehr, Lady Lake Library Administrative Assistant, and Lady Lake Library Director Aly Herman
Info from Lady Lake Chamber
Discount Mini Storage of The Villages located in Lady Lake, FL. We have a variety of Temperature and Non-Temperature Controlled unit sizes to achieve your storage solution. Our on-site management team takes pride in personal service and maintaining an extremely clean, secure, and pest-free environment to protect your business and personal valuables. Although we recognize you have many choices when it comes to storage units, we’re confident you will see why Discount Mini Storage is right for you.
We offer the largest selection of storage sizes available. From 16 sq ft to 800 sq ft and everything in between, we are sure to have the right size to fit your needs. At Discount Mini Storage, you will find both Drive-Up and Interior Storage units. Drive-Up units are convenient for larger spaces where you can unload directly into your unit. Interior units are accessible through our wide and brightly-lit hallways. A leasing associate will work with you to find the size and type best suited to meet your needs. Continue reading
On June 16, 2023, in News Releases, by Staff
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Hometown Heroes program has provided $100 million in down payment and closing cost assistance to help Florida’s hometown workers purchase homes in the communities they serve. Governor DeSantis announced the launch of Hometown Heroes in June 2022, and since then the program has helped 6,753 veterans, active-duty military members, nurses, teachers, and law enforcement officers purchase homes for their families.
“Florida’s hometown heroes work hard to support our communities, and I am proud that we have supported over 6,700 of them as they purchased their family homes,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Through the Hometown Heroes housing program, we are ensuring that our police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, and military members and veterans can afford to buy homes in the communities that they have dedicated their lives to serving.” Continue reading
Florida’s unemployment rate remains lower than the nation’s for 31 consecutive months since November 2020
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida’s unemployment rate remains the lowest among the 10 largest states in the nation for the twelfth consecutive month. In May 2023, Florida’s unemployment rate remained at 2.6 percent for the fifth consecutive month. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate of 2.6 percent was 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 3.7 percent. In May 2023, Florida’s private sector employment increased by 17,200 jobs from the previous month, and by 323,400 jobs (3.9 percent) over the year, faster than the nation’s private sector job growth rate of 2.7 percent during the same time period.
“Florida’s unemployment rate has remained the lowest of the 10 largest states for an entire year —further proof that our Freedom First policies have strengthened our economy,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida will continue to protect taxpayers, foster new business formations, and maintain a responsible budget.” Continue reading
