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! Continue reading
The Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala proudly welcomed four esteemed professionals into its membership during an induction ceremony held on December 5 at the Midtown Station in Downtown Ocala. Jennifer LeBrecht, of Thrive Home Therapy & Design, Mehul Patel, with HCA Healthcare, David Shults, from Northwestern Mutual, and Sam Cone, from Cone Farms LLC, took their pledges to uphold the values and mission of Rotary International. The ceremony was conducted by President-Elect Herb Silverman, with members of both the Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala and the Rotary Club of Ocala-Sunset in attendance to celebrate this significant milestone. “This induction is a testament to the strength and commitment of our growing Rotary family. These members bring diverse talents and a shared passion for service that will undoubtedly enhance our impact,” stated
Ocala, FL – December 9, 2024 – The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership Foundation is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Papa John’s Foundation’s Building Community Fund. This funding will directly support the CEP’s Leadership Ocala Marion Youth (LOMY) program, helping to keep participation costs affordable while also providing scholarships to ensure access for all students.
LOMY is a county-wide program that brings together a diverse group of students from both public and private high schools in Marion County. Through a series of hands-on activities, leadership workshops, and community service projects, the program helps students build critical skills that will serve them throughout their lives. It also encourages participants to develop a shared commitment to the growth and advancement of their community. Continue reading
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