Marion County
One of the things I enjoy most about my job is getting to speak to different groups. Big groups or small, business people or social groups, it really does not matter. I love talking about our community and the role of the CEP. Regardless of the size of the group, the nature of the questions is often the same – “What is the new building going up . . .” and “When will get a . . .” Usually, I know the answer or at least can proffer an educated guess. In this issue, I would like to highlight some of the most frequently asked new building questions.
What are those building going up near FedEx?
If you have not taken a moment and driven down NW 35th Ave into the Ocala-Marion County Commerce Park, I would encourage you to do so. Just past the new FedEx Ground Hub one can see two large buildings under construction. The building to the east is the new AutoZone Distribution Center. This facility is covers more than 440,000 sq. ft. and will serve AutoZone stores in Florida and Puerto Rico. The facility to the north or just past FedEx is the new Chewy.com Fulfillment Center. This building will encompass 620,000 sq. ft. Combined both facilities represent nearly 1.1 MILLION sq. ft. of new space. Eventually these three companies will employ approximately 1,500 workers. Continue reading
At the CEP, things are always changing. We are looking for ways to provide an ever greater return on investment for our partners and for the community. We are excited to announce a new program to encourage entrepreneurs and two new team members who have recently join us.
1 Million Cups-Ocala
Ocala soon will be the newest home of a national program to engage, educate and connect local entrepreneurs. 1 Million Cups — based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee — is a free, weekly gathering that helps to build startup communities on a grassroots level.
Beginning Wednesday, September 20, 2017, entrepreneurs, innovators, funders and other interested community members are invited to attend each Wednesday from 9:30am to 10:30 a.m. at the CEP’s Power Plant Business Incubator – 2nd Floor, located at 405 SE Osceola Ave. Ocala. Continue reading
We are #1 (or at least a finalist)! I am very excited to share that the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) has been named a finalist for the 2017 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The CEP along with the other three finalists for the award will be celebrated at a special event on Tuesday, July 18, in Nashville, Tenn., with the winner to be announced that evening.
This is an incredible testament to the success of our partners and leadership in implementing their vision with our Moving Forward campaign. We are excited for this recognition and to shine a light on the great work being done in this community.
Chamber of the Year is the nation’s only award recognizing the leadership role chambers have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, business development and quality of life.
Chambers of commerce interested in competing for the award must first qualify by participating in a vigorous, multi-stage process. Organizations entering the Chamber of the Year competition must meet minimum thresholds in at least three of five key performance areas, including net revenue, net assets, membership account retention, and membership dollar retention. Continue reading
Marion County, Florida (June 30, 2017)- Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives and Cold Case team members have closed the homicide case of Margaret Mary Mohrenne (DOB: 08/11/1971) nearly 12 years after her death. Mohrenne was found deceased in her home, then located at the 3600th block of NE 22nd Street in Ocala in July of 2005. Mohrenne’s boyfriend, Allen Hodder (DOB: 01/16/1979) was the main suspect in the case but was not arrested.
After further investigation and consultation with the State Attorney’s Office (SAO), the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the SAO began the process of seeking a Second Degree Murder indictment against Hodder. However, Hodder died on March 13, 2017, of a Fentanyl and Carfentanil overdose before the indictment could be brought against him, therefore closing the case. Continue reading
Marion County, Florida (June 10, 2017) – Late Friday evening, June 9, 2017, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies responded to a 911 call for a stabbing at 19400 SE Highway 42. When they arrived, deputies found a male victim suffering from what appeared to be stab wounds. Deputies rendered first aid until paramedics arrived.
During an argument with the victim, Catherine Melvyn (DOB: 11/20/1959), attacked the victim stabbing him with a knife and then later called 911. Initially, she told deputies that the victim had attempted suicide. After making several conflicting statements to MCSO detectives, she then confessed that she had, in fact, stabbed the victim to get him to stop arguing with her. Continue reading
Marion County, Florida (June 7, 2017) – On Tuesday, June 6, 2017, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Property Crimes detectives arrested Wayne Frazier (DOB: 01/30/1992) after he committed an occupied burglary in Summerfield early Tuesday morning. Frazier was also charged for his involvement in another burglary case that occurred several days prior.
The investigation revealed that at approximately 2:00 a.m., Tuesday morning, Frazier entered a residence located at the 17000th block of SE 108th Terrace Road in Summerfield while the victims were asleep inside. Frazier stole over $500.00 in miscellaneous items from the victims’ garage and stole a 3-wheel motorcycle valued at approximately $27,000.00. Frazier caused $2,550.00 in damages to the two other vehicles parked in the garage while stealing the motorcycle. The victims discovered the burglary when they awoke Tuesday morning. While MCSO patrol deputies were on scene conducting their investigation, a MCSO sergeant conducting a search of the area found the stolen motorcycle outside of a home located at 17012 SE 108th Terrace, approximately five minutes away from the victims’ residence. Continue reading
Marion County, Florida (June 2, 2017)- Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives are currently investigating a possible drowning in the Ocala National Forest. MCSO Deputies and Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) paramedics were dispatched to a remote pond in the area of SE 125th Terrace Road in reference to an unresponsive elderly female in the water. Deputies recovered the deceased victim later identified as Sally Cook (DOB: 10/28/1937) and released her body to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
At this time, no foul play is suspected and MCSO detectives are continuing to investigate this incident.
Director Paul Bloom, Public Information Director, Volunteer Services Director
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Desk: (352) 368-3527
Marion County, Florida (June 1, 2017) – At approximately 9:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies were dispatched to a residence located at 5645 SE 102nd Place in Belleview in reference to a home invasion robbery and shooting. When units arrived on scene, they found two gunshot victims, a 18- year old male and 37- year old female, who both had non-life threatening injuries. Witnesses told
deputies that suspect, Eboni Porter (DOB: 12/10/1994), came to the house looking for the male victim. When she wasn’t allowed in the house, Eboni and her sister, Nakia Porter (DOB: 01/04/1999), their mother, Charronda Rhem (DOB: 07/09/1974) and other subjects entered the house armed with handguns. The victims were then shot and the suspects fled the scene. A motive for the crime is unclear at this time. Continue reading
One of the two primary goals of the CEP is to create and retain jobs in our community. Four of our five core areas are organized around this goal. You will often see our five-year goal of impacting the announced creation of 4500 new jobs if you attend a CEP event or browse our website. However, job creation is more than just the projects that we directly impact. In fact, if we are doing our jobs then the community should see greater economic impact and job creation.
One way many people track the status of the job market is through the unemployment rate. While there are some real challenges with this approach, it does provide a good barometer of what is happening in our community. Using the latest numbers available (March 2017), the current unemployment rate in the Ocala MSA (Marion County) is 5.1 percent. This is a tremendous improvement from just a few years ago when it surpassed 14 percent. Additionally, when you look at the three-county workforce the numbers remain very positive. Marion County is the center of a regional workforce shed so these numbers are important. The unemployment in this region was 5.2 percent with nearly 5,900 more people employed than a year ago. Continue reading
There are so many incredible things happening in our community. The coming months will see the announcement of new primary employers and major expansions by existing primary employers. The Power Plant Business Incubator continues to help innovative and scalable startups primarily in the areas of technology, health care, and communications. The downtown area continues to generate enthusiasm with the new midtown plan, an ever-growing line up of restaurants and stores, and the long awaited hotel project set to break ground by the end of summer. All of this excitement and growth is in large part the result of our partners. Thank you for your engagement and investment in moving Ocala and Marion County forward.
Leadership Ocala Marion
Spring brings warmer weather, high school proms and graduations, and the beginning of planning for the CEP’s amazing leadership programs. For 30 years, Leadership Ocala Marion (LOM) has been training and providing opportunities to train new generations of leaders on the needs of this community and how they can engage. Continue reading
