OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It was a sold-out event and occupied at least half of exhibition hall #1 at the World Equestrian Center (WEC).
The 2024 Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) annual luncheon boasted an attendance of more than 1,200 on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
This year’s theme: the “Winners Circle” celebrated the partnerships in the community and what it takes to be the Horse Capital of the World®.
A recently released report from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association shows the equine industry fuels $4.3 billion in total economic impact in Marion County annually. That’s up from a yearly economic impact of $2.7 billion in 2018 which is the last time the study was conducted.
That was enough to spur Kevin Sheilly, CEP President & CEO, to come “riding in” so to speak to the lunch wearing chaps, striding alongside a miniature horse and touting the strong economic news to the business leaders in attendance. A slick video skit starring Sheilly and Justin Garner, Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy for WEC, preceded Sheilly’s entrance.
Sheilly says the economy is strong in the Ocala area for many reasons not just the equine industry.
“If you think about all that’s been done, new companies coming in and over the last two years we have announced 2,500 new jobs, almost a billion dollars in capital investments and those jobs are paying above our county average,” said Sheilly. “We are really continuing to grow, and a diversified economy is key. We are seeing that happen with new companies coming in.”
That growth is not without its challenges. The impact on traffic and schools chief among them.
That’s why the Ocala CEP lined up several business and community leaders to come up on stage in a quasi-talk show format to discuss what’s being done to address the issues.
Marion County Board of County Commission Chair Michelle Stone pointed to the importance of the county’s comprehensive plan which charts the course for the future for everything from transportation to land use.
Meanwhile, Marion County Public Schools Superintendent Diane Gullett addressed the need for new schools and how the district is formulating a plan for capital improvement projects.
“We want people to leave here excited about our community, excited about what is going on in Ocala and our future. That’s what this day is all about. When people leave, we want them to be excited about their role in the CEP and shaping the future,” said Sheilly as he was ready to get back on the horse he came in on and ride off into the proverbial sunset.
