Ocala Business Leaders recently had a guest speaker. The newly name police Chief Balken came to introduce himself at one of the OBL breakfast meeting. Chief spoke briefly about our loss of tPolice Chief Greg Graham who recently died in a plane crash. Chief Balken said he will be missed. The new Chief spoke on a number of local issues, gave us important statistics and had a good question and answer session. Chief Balken was well received.

Brooklyn Back Yard Restaurant. Interesting lunch Ocala Florida Silver Springs Blvd. We had a business lunch in the middle of the month. My business guest order a Calzone, said it was delicious. I had create a burger, no bun. Lettuce, Tomato, onion, pickles with mixed veggies and some really hot coffee! Enjoyed it and will go back soon. The restaurant is located close to Staples.

Stacy Cruz ARNP was speaker at Ocala Business Leaders one of last months Business Breakfast. During her talk she announced that she would become the soul owner of Magnolia Urgent Care LLC in 2021. She also discussed COVID-19 and the operation of her Urgent Care. It will soon become a COVID test sites (out doors) . Many of the people at then breakfast got up and gave testimony of the great care they received.

Rob Moffitt explains how Anytime Fitness is a totally different experience! Anytime Fitness has three locations in Marion County. Rob is located at ANYTIME FITNESS 3290 SE 58th Ave Ocala Florida 352-624-7393

Ocala Business Leaders met Rodney Gutierrez, CMP Sales Manager for the World Equestrian Center. Rodney was Invited by April Savarese of the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County to speak to the OBL group about what the facility has to offer the Community.

We are #1! It is a chant and cheer that can meet a variety of different things but it almost always a positive. In this case, the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) is celebrating being named the national Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives for 2020. In other words, the CEP is the #1 chamber in all the land. This is the only globally-recognized industry award that honors top chambers.

At the CEP, this is more than just a pretty trophy and banner to hang on the wall. It is recognition of the unique partnerships which exist in this community between businesses, local governments, education providers, and the CEP. The idea behind chamber of the year award is to recognize those chambers which have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities. The partnerships that exist and drive growth in this community is at the heart of what is recognized with this award. In other words, it is not just a CEP award but it is an award for the entire Ocala Metro.

One might wonder why this matters to the community at large? If one does not own a business, why does the CEP, the voice of the business community, receiving recognition really matter? It means the entity designated to lead growth and development for our area is operating at the highest level and leading efforts to meaningfully impact our community. The combination of metrics reviews, white papers, and in-depth interviews means that data is being tested and reviewed and it is consistently coming out among the very best. In fact, this year it is the very best! Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 10) –  The City of Ocala has been awarded grant money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the amount of $1,454, 257.  Funding will be used to cover the cost of installing backup generators and other improvements to the city’s sanitary sewer collection systems.

The city applied for grant funding in June 2018 and was awarded these funds Nov. 4, 2020. The grant is funded by the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), a funding source that operates under FEMA, providing resources for critical infrastructure upgrades.

The approved proposal includes the purchase and installation of twenty permanent generators, automatic transfer switches and other electrical components for designated lift stations.  The upgrades will allow lift stations to remain functional in the event of power loss due to hurricanes or other tropical storms. Existing manhole covers will be removed and replaced with new covers and seals to prevent stormwater intrusion and sanitary overflows.

The new generators will be protected against wind and weather conditions and include a 500-year flood event, meaning there is a 1 in 500 (0.2%) chance this type of flood risk could occur in a given year.  All system requirements will be completed in strict compliance with Federal, State, and Local rules and regulations.  Timelines for installation are under contract review and will be forthcoming.

For more information, please contact the City Engineer’s Office at 352-351-6772.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 16, 2020) – ‘Santa on the Square’ returns to Downtown Ocala this December. This family-friendly holiday program will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 3-17, 6 to 8 p.m. at the downtown square.

Due to COVID-19, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be socially distanced. Guests are encouraged to wear face coverings, maintain a physical distance of six-feet apart in the que line, and utilize hand sanitation stations supplied by the city.  Santa will remain seated behind stanchions spaced six feet apart from guests.

This program is free, but guests must reserve a time slot by emailing lartis@ocalafl.org. No more than 8 individuals will be allowed in the photo at one time. Guests are encouraged to bring their own camera to capture the moment. Individually wrapped treats will be handed out to children after their photo with Santa.

For more information, visit www.ocalafl.org/holidays or call the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.