We all know that the Ocala Metro is growing, we just have not known how much. Now we do! The new Census numbers for Metropolitan areas and counties recently were released and this area is growing even faster than we anticipated. For the period of 1 July 2022-30 June 2023, the Ocala Metro (Marion County) was the 4^th fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation! What does that mean? As of the cutoff date more than 9 months ago, the population of our community was just shy of 410,000 people. For comparison, the population at the 2020 Census was 376,000.

Of the 392 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the US, the Ocala Metro now ranks 134. In 2020, we ranked 148. Not only was our growth rate (3.4%) the 4^th highest, but we ranked 31^st for the highest quantity growth. In other words, while extremely large metros (Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix) may have much smaller growth rates, they could still add tens if not hundreds of thousands of new residents. The Ocala Metro still ranked 31^st in sheer numbers despite being smaller than any other metro ranked above it in this category. Continue reading →

As we enter this new year, the Ocala Metro has made a few national lists which are worth highlighting:

U-Haul

Every year, U-Haul unveils their Top 25 Cities for Growth. This list ranks cities based on one-way moves using U-Haul. While not entirely scientific, it is a great barometer of where people are moving. The Ocala Metro has made this list each of the last several years but this year ranks #2 following last year’s ranking as the top city where people are moving. This is important because of who moves using U-Haul – overwhelmingly, it is younger people. We know that 30-39 year olds in the Ocala Metro are growing at double the national average. This is a key demographic for workforce, home ownership, and families.

Housing

One of the best and most significant measures of the strength of the local economy is the housing market. 2023 was a record-year on several fronts. It marked the highest ever number of new single-family homes completed, and the 2^nd highest number of permits issued. Additionally, it was the 2^nd best year on record for the sale of existing homes. The Ocala Metro was one of only 3 Florida metros and one of only a handful nationwide that saw an increase in year-over-year sales of existing homes. Finally, 2023 saw the largest number of new Multi-Family developments to come online with the addition of approximately 2,000 units. Continue reading →

One of the best and most significant measures of the strength of the local economy is the housing market. 2023 was a record-year on several fronts. It marked the highest ever number of new single-family homes completed, and the 2^nd highest number of permits issued. Additionally, it was the 2^nd best year on record for the sale of existing homes. The Ocala Metro was one of only 3 Florida metros and one of only a handful nationwide that saw an increase in year-over-year sales of existing homes. Finally, 2023 saw the largest number of new Multi-Family developments to come online with the addition of approximately 2,000 units.

This growth is being fueled by the continuing large number of new residents relocating to the area. The Ocala Metro again ranked in the top 2 in U-Haul’s annual Top Cities for Growth. This is significant because it highlights the strong growth of younger residents to the community and reinforces the growth in both traditional single-family and multi-family developments. Further attesting to this growth is the record enrollment at Marion County Public Schools which surpassed 45,600 students in the fall of 2023. This reflects a 10% increase in the last two years. Continue reading →

Recently, my wife and I were invited to attend a dinner event. It was a lovely evening, and we were sat at a table with a gentleman to my right whom I had not previously met. I introduced myself and approximately 90 seconds later I heard, “Let me ask you – what are they building . . . ?” I answered his question and the follow-up questions. Welcome to a day (and night) in the life of the CEO of the CEP!

Questions

First, and I want to make this abundantly clear, please ask me your questions. I love to meet people and I am absolutely delighted when people stop to talk on the street, at a bar or restaurant, in the mall, in the gym, etc. I want you to introduce yourself and I always want people to feel free to ask their questions.

What questions am I asked? Well, usually they are around growth and development though they sometimes wander into other areas. Here are some of the most common questions – Continue reading →

We have just completed celebrating 10 years of the CEP. The celebration focused on the CEP’s impact on businesses and impact on our community. The CEP is nothing without the involvement and engagement of our 1,200 business partners. It is that engagement when businesses are positively impacted that the magic happens. We have seen that play out time again over the last decade.

But how did all of this happen? What sparked this effort? The catalyst for the CEP is no different than the catalyst for any other – it is leadership. In particular, leaders within the business community stepped up and decided they wanted more for their community. Leaders stepped up and committed to an out-of-the-box approach. Leaders stepped up and committed their time, talent, and treasure to bringing this vision to reality. In other words, leaders led. Continue reading →

One of the long-time strengths of this community is its incredible entrepreneurial spirit and support. This is truly a place which supports and encourages entrepreneurship. It is very much part of our DNA here. As much as the springs and horses define us, so does entrepreneurship. It was a part of the CEP even before the merger more than eleven years ago now and continues to be so today with Business Creation being one of our five pillars and the Power Plant Business Incubator serving as the heart of those efforts. Soon, our new Silver Springs Shores Impact Entrepreneurship Center will open to expand our support for small business growth and development to this area of our community. Our Impact Initiative presented by Ausley Construction exists because we believe entrepreneurship is the best way to overcome inequality of opportunity. So, celebrating and supporting entrepreneurs is a natural part of what we do. Continue reading →

Probably the question I am most asked is “What big announcements are coming?” Regardless of where one lives in our community or what they do, they want to know what other companies are investing and growing in the Ocala Metro. This month, I am excited to share about two companies who we have recently announced are doing just that.

Averitt Express is a privately owned transportation and supply chain management company based in Cookeville, TN. The company has 5,000 employees and primarily services the Southeast US. This summer the company purchased the last parcel in the Ocala/Marion County Commerce Park, also home to FedEx Ground, AutoZone, Chewy, and Amazon. We announced that the CEP’s October exCEPtional Mornings breakfast that the company will be investing $30 million for the first phase of a new facility here. They will hire more than 30 new employees with an average wage of $69,000 annually. Continue reading →

Ocala, Florida (August 29, 2023) – Kevin T. Sheilley, Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) President & CEO, and Tamara Fleischhaker, Chief Experience Officer, have been designated as a Certified Chamber Executives (CCE) by ACCE, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

ACCE is an association based in Alexandria, Va., that has over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry. The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant’s knowledge of core chamber management areas —management, planning and development, membership, communications and revenue and operations.

“These chamber leaders invested many hours over the past year to earn their CCE designation,” said Megan A. Lucas, CCE, CEcD, IOM, CEO and chief economic development officer of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance and CCE Commission chair. “We commend their pursuit of professional excellence and commitment to the chamber industry. Their achievement sets them apart as true industry leaders.” Continue reading →