OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala Metro CEP Foundation, dedicated to growing talent and promoting entrepreneurship, recently received a boost from two companies helping to foster economic development locally.

In its history, the foundation has worked with the community to help its workforce thrive by supporting a variety of talent levels, from K-12 to higher education programs. Its work feeds an ever-growing workforce in Ocala.

The foundation does this through programs like IMPACT, which provides entrepreneurship assistance to tackle opportunity inequality, and NEXTworks, connecting educators with local businesses to develop training programs.

Jessica Gilbert, Vice President of the CEP Foundation, shared what these new grants mean for the future of Ocala.

Florida Blue contributed $50,000 to the foundation to expand leadership programs and resource availability. Florida Blue supports the CEP’s SPHERE initiative. SPHERE’s mission is to develop a broader and more innovative spectrum of healthcare services and products in Ocala.

The PNC Foundation granted $10,000 to support initiatives in communities like Marion Oaks, Silver Springs Shores, and West Ocala. Grant money like this can be used to offer on-site business technical assistance, multi-language training events, and entrepreneurship pathways.

Support like this provides opportunities for everyone in Ocala to succeed by investing in leaders, businesses, and talent of tomorrow.

POV: Ocala is the CEP’s bimonthly video series to keep the Ocala Metro in the know on what’s new and coming to Ocala.

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