If you have lived in Ocala for more than a decade, then you probably know our community’s story of bouncing back from the Great Recession in 2007-08. If you are newer to the area since then (and more than 100,000 people have moved here over the last decade), it is important history to know.

In the early 2000’s, our community was truly a boomtown. Everyone was a builder, developer, or realtor and we were building and flipping houses like nobody’s business. Unfortunately, it was nobody’s business. No one was actually living in many of the houses, and we had stopped building a real economy to support the growth. When the Great Recession happened, arguably no community in our country was more negatively impacted than Ocala. Overnight, the County and School System lost 40% of their revenue, wages stagnated, and we began a period of seven years of double-digit unemployment. SEVEN YEARS!

The business community in partnership with local government and education partners made an intentional effort to turn the tide in 2012 with the creation of the CEP with the merger of the Chamber of Commerce with the Economic Development Council. While there were a number of goals, the three top goals were to 1) to create more jobs which 2) pay wages higher than the current county median and 3) resulted in the significant private investment in the community. Continue reading →

From the desk of Senator Dennis Baxley—

I want to thank you, the citizens of District 13, for allowing me to serve and represent you, these past 8 years. Due to senate term limits, I am “termed out”.

It’s been a privilege having worked in both the House and the Senate for 20 years.  We’ve addressed a lot of issues, working to make the lives of the citizens here in the State of Florida economically better, our educational programs stronger, our people safer, and gave incentives to small businesses so they could thrive.

I will be returning to family, community and business activities.  I hope to see you when we’re out and about.

Onward & Upward,

Senator Dennis Baxley

Senate District 13

……….Publishers Note………

Definition of termed out means…Dennis Baxley’s was at the end of a term and could not run again.

Some history from the internet

2022-2024. Senator Dennis Baxley. Party: Republican. Committee Assignments. Agriculture · Appropriations · Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil … Continue reading →

“North Florida is tough, and the resilience of our communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene continues to inspire. Local leaders, residents, and federal officials have come together with strength and determination, showing the grit and dedication needed to rebuild,” Congressman Neal Dunn said.  “I am honored to host Speaker Johnson as we work together, and I am committed to advocating for aid and providing the support our communities need through every step of the recovery process.”

Initial damage estimates from the storm could total over $160B. 

For assistance with recovery resources from Hurricane Helene, visit cammack.house.gov or call (352) 505-0838. 

“I’m grateful to Speaker Johnson for visiting some of Florida’s hardest-hit communities today. Seeing the damage and destruction from Hurricane Helene firsthand and hearing directly from the folks who continue to struggle with relief from the federal government was critical, especially because these same communities also endured Hurricane Idalia and Debby in the last 13 months. Some of those very same folks have yet to receive the disaster assistance they applied for,” said Rep. Cammack. “We’re going to continue our efforts to get our region back up and running and I’m grateful for the Speaker’s commitment to this work.”