August 31, 2010 As we move into a new fiscal year for the EDC, we are keenly aware of the value of community investment. Over the past 18 months we have partnered with our local and state governments, Workforce Connection and the Chamber to position Ocala/Marion County for economic competitiveness. While much progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. The leaders of this organization addressed this in our 2010/2011 Strategic Plan. However, this scope of work cannot be achieved alone. As an investor in the EDC and this community, we need your support. Please communicate with those in your circles of influence how important it is for our community to rally together in our aggressive pursuit of economic recovery. This Economic Update also includes a letter from City Manager Rick Horst clarifying the right of way timing approvals for the extension of SW 67th Avenue through the Airport Business Park. Marion County and the EDC continue to work with the City on this project, as well as with the owners of the former Magna property to reach "shovel ready" status in the coming months. My favorite Web site, www.ocaledc.org, is now updated with the most current demographic and workforce data available. If you, as an EDC investor, need a demographic report for a particular radius in Ocala/Marion County, please feel free to contact the EDC office at 352-291-4410. We'll be happy to help. Dr. Sean Snaith, Director of The Institute for Economic Competitiveness at UCF will be the guest speaker at the EDC's 52nd Annual Meeting and Luncheon in September. He will be presenting data on the local and state economic impact of Amendment Four and the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. His full presentation will be available in the upcoming September Economic Update.
As this fiscal year comes to an end, we extend our deepest gratitude to our investors for their steadfast support which enabled us to expand our programs and continue on the path to economic recovery. Together we will keep Ocala/Marion Conty Great for Business and Great for Life. Best Regards, 
Pete Tesch
President/CEO | The 2010/2011 EDC Strategic Plan is Available for you to view online, or click the image below to download a printer-friendly version. |  |
  | "Approximately 200 acres of land at the southern end of the Airport Business Park has been cleared, is platted, has required zoning and land use entitlements, is served by road, water, sewer, electric, fiber, natural gas and is in a shovel ready condition." Ricky A. Horst
City Manager | In May of last year, the City held an event at the Ocala Airport to announce the creation of the business park, to invite development proposals, and to express the intent of bringing the park to "shovel ready" condition for development opportunity. Toward that end, the City announced its expectation for a $4.1MM extension of SW 67th Avenue through the park beginning February 2010. The extension of SW 67th Avenue includes two phases; the first phase extending from the former ARFF facility north to approximately the crosswinds runway, the second phase extending from the first phase terminus north to SR 40. Since the event, the City has been working to design and permit the first phase and only recently (July) received required State and Federal permit approvals. | Since the event, the County has been in ongoing discussions with a company interested in constructing a bio-energy facility on property adjacent to the second phase. The decision of who would design, permit and construct the second phase was dependent upon the result of those discussions. In March of this year it appeared to the City that the bio-energy facility would not become a reality. The City determined that, based on anticipated road project savings, it would have adequate funds available to complete the design, permitting and construction of the second phase and therefore asked County Staff if it would support the donation of County land necessary for the second phase right of way. Receiving a positive indication of support, the City immediately began discussing roadway alignment options. Given the complexities of extending the phase two roadway through or around the adjacent closed Martel landfill, the City determined that it needed addtional engineering expertise and hired an outside consultant who performed various engineering tests, geotechnical surveys, and held meetings with permitting agencies to determine the preferred alignment option. The City transmitted its formal right of way donation request to the County on July 30th and the County approved the request in concept on August 17th. Given this recent County approval, the City will seek bids for SW 67th Avenue (both phases) in September. So, for the record, the actual time between when the City determined that it would design, permit, and construct the second phase and hired a consultant to do so, was less than four months. The actual time the consultant has been under contract is two months. The actual time between the City's donation request and County's approval was 18 days. In our opinion, the number one priority is "job creation." Business park development is absolutely an important component and top long-term priority. However, not every company is looking for a business park. Some companies are interested in occupying an existing building which is why it is important to be working on a variety of fronts. Keep in mind that approximately 200 acres of land at the southern end of the Airport Business Park has been cleared, is platted, has required zoning and land use entitlements, is served by road, water, sewer, electric, fiber, natural gas and is in a "shovel ready" condition. | This Economic Update has been developed to meet the communication needs expressed by our investors. The EDC has been asked to provide quick, easy-to-read highlights, with further details just a click away.The Economic Update is the tool for delivering the Quarterly Report, and other relevent economic updates. Let us know what you think! 
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