Submitted By: Edwin Carreras
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Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
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Department: Growth Management
FORMAL TITLE:
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Agreement for business creation, retention, and attraction services with the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership in the amount of $190,000
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP), together with City staff, proposes to continue a Business Creation, Retention, and Attraction Services Agreement (Agreement). This Agreement requires a $190,000 allocation from the City’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget. The Agreement aligns with the Ocala City Council’s strategic priority of Economic Hub.
The City’s partnership with the CEP began in 2012 with funding to support economic growth, and has been renewed annually since. In 2024, the city and CEP restructured the Agreement at the Council’s request, adding conflict‑of‑interest protocols, separating sponsorship and service funding, and updating the work plan to focus on key priorities.
City staff and the CEP worked together to improve the proposed service Agreement further to ensure it directly aligns with the priorities outlined in the City’s Vision 2050 Plan and the objectives of the Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA).
• This revision focused on refining the scope of services, strengthening reporting standards, and adjusting performance targets so that the Agreement supports the City’s long-term growth strategy.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The CEP successfully completed the primary work plan outlined in the Agreement. Please refer to the attached documentation regarding performance during the contract period. Key highlights are presented below:
• CEP received $90,000 for services and an additional $100,000 sponsorship, totaling $190,000.
• Facilitated an economic incentive proposal to secure E‑ONE’s $23.5 million manufacturing expansion. City Council approved a $193,000 Economic Investment Program (EIP) incentive to support the project.
• Launched 28 targeted marketing campaigns highlighting Ocala’s business environment and strategic advantages.
• Hosted 35 prospect visits across priority sites within the designated focus areas, including 12 targeted visits to the airport to support active business recruitment efforts.
• Maintained a comprehensive, GIS‑powered online property portal, featuring approximately 495 active commercial listings and attracting an average of 135 monthly visits, providing investors, developers, and entrepreneurs with a centralized, real‑time site‑selection tool.
• Provided 260 direct business development assistance appointments to companies citywide, 16 percent of which were located in the Downtown and Midtown areas.
• Maintained an 80 percent occupancy rate at the Power Plant Business Incubator, supporting entrepreneurial growth and innovation.
o Three graduates from the Power Plant Business Incubator.
• Sustained ongoing coordination with FloridaCommerce, responding to 11 requests for information (RFIs) related to project recruitment and statewide initiatives.
• Provided market insights by developing an Industrial Market Assessment Report, Aviation Marketing Kit, and a Downtown Retail Redevelopment Opportunity Tool Kit.
• Represented Ocala at multiple events, including the International Asset Management Council (IAMC) conference in Indianapolis to promote Ocala’s assets to more than 500 professional consultants who make location recommendations for companies nationwide.
The proposed Agreement will help promote a prosperous economy in the City of Ocala and advance the City’s Vision 2050 Plan and CRA objectives. If approved, the Agreement will be effective from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are available in the Economic Investment Program account number 674-099-999-559-81-34010.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny