Flanked with support from our investors and the combined efforts of our partners, the EDC stands ready to help companies looking to relocate and expand to create more employment opportunities for our citizens. Currently, our staff is working with 21 active projects that have the potential to create more than 1,000 much needed jobs.
In order to establish a community-wide economic development strategy and enhance our business services delivery system, the EDC is also joining other community leaders to explore the benefits of becoming a “Six Pillars” community. The concept, developed by the Florida Chamber, targets six key indicators that lead to economic vitality. By linking into this collaborative initiative, communities can speak in a common language with one voice to strengthen their position legislatively in Tallahassee. In late May, the EDC and Chamber Boards held a joint strategic planning session with Dr. Dale Brill, President of the Florida Chamber Foundation to learn more about the process, goals and benefits of the program. Dr. Brill will also present an overview of the concept to EDC investors at the EDC’s June 9th Quarterly Luncheon. Additionally, the Joint Strategic Planning Session produced a series of action steps to assist business development in the areas of Growth, Attraction, Retention and Expansion for consideration in each organization’s respective plans. One of the next initiatives will be to identify which organization will be responsible for implementing specific steps within a designated timeframe.
In May 2011, data from the 2010 Census and the Nielsen Company was released and all the latest demographic information is available on the EDC Web site. We believe this latest snapshot of our community can be used as a valuable tool in planning for your company’s future.
Best Regards, 
Pete Tesch
President/CEO
 |  | EDC and Chamber Board members gathered at the Joint Strategic Planning Session to take a collaborative approach to developing a community-wide economic development strategy to enhance our business services delivery system. The morning began with a presentation by Bill Fruth, POLICOM Corporation. (POLICOM, commissioned by the EDC, has provided economic research, benchmarks and goal-setting studies for Marion County since 2004.) Fruth shared the historical data, as well as the severe economic impact generated from the job losses in the construction, manufacturing and financial industry sectors. His presentation covered all industry sectors and compared Ocala/Marion County’s economy to that of the State and the Nation. Fruth pointed out that Marion County was on track to meet the primary job creation goals established for the 2005-2009 timeframe, until the worst economic downturn since the great depression hit the Country and Marion County. Fruth’s “realistic” forecast for new job creation in 2012 set a benchmark of 200 jobs. Given the fact that he also predicts a loss of 150 primary jobs in the same time period, a goal of “net” 50 new primary jobs will be the break-even point. The study also states the number of new, primary jobs needed to meet the goals will rise to 400 in 2013, 410 in 2014, 435 in 2015, with a fairly significant jump to 640 in 2016. Based on these numbers, a slow but steady increase in primary jobs will turn our economy around, but it will take all of us working together to successfully achieve these goals. The POLICOM Progress Report and Goal-Setting Study are available for your review. |  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! 
Archived Economic Updates |
