OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Nothing happens in a vacuum. 

The past and present play a huge role in the future, and the success that Marion County is enjoying is due in part to its growth. Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) CEO Kevin Sheilley provided the audience with an in-depth overview of economics in the county and was the featured speaker at the CEP’s exCEPtional breakfast Sept. 18, 2024, at the Reilly Arts Center. 

Here’s what you missed. 

A surge in population and success  

The last decade has been one of incredible growth and forward momentum.  The population in 2022 was 376,000. As of June 2023, the population was 410,000, and now is about 425,000. How does that break down? 

  • Marion County was the most popular destination in the nation to move in 2022, according to relocation data by U-Haul. 
  • Marion County was the fourth fastest growing metropolitan area in the country last year, placing 134/392 total metros.  
  • The largest group relocating to the area are millennials between the ages of 30-39 . 
  • Over the last decade, the United States median wage has increased 24%, but in our community the median wage has increased 65%.  
  • Over 13,000 new jobs have been added in the past 10 years. 

Sheilly emphasized the only way that the area will get caught up with increasing residents will be to keep growing faster. 

Growth, Development, and Jobs  

Investments have played a key role in helping residents improve their quality of life, said Sheilley. 

  • Miami-based Ayr Wellness will be moving into a 100,000 square foot facility on the northeast side of town, making a $43 million investment.   
  • MÜV purchased a 250,000 square foot facility in the Florida Crossroads Commerce Park in Marion Oaks, creating several hundred jobs and investing millions of dollars more into the facility.  
  • ADS will take control of the rest of the Associated Grocers facility, creating over 300 jobs with salaries 20% higher than the county average.  

“Not only are they bringing jobs to our community to create opportunity; no matter where you live in our community, you have an opportunity for success,” said Sheilley.  

Challenging times  

Ocala was severely impacted by the Great Recession in 2007, maybe more so than any other community in the nation and has finally recovered. 

  • The school system was forced to lay off more than 100 teachers.  
  • Ocala faced a seven-year period of double-digit unemployment, negative population growth, had the fourth highest foreclosure rate in the nation, and wrestled with stagnant wages and income growth. 

Property tax revenue took 14 years to recover for the county, reaching this point in 2021. Marion County Public Schools had an even harder time, taking 16 years to recover, and finally seeing improvement in 2023. In the last five years, school enrollment has grown by 11%. 

Why did it take so long for public schools to recover?  “I have an easy answer… because there was no money. That’s not about poor leadership, it’s about economics,” Sheilly boldly stated. 

Penny powers projects  

The community knew they had to address the problem. The Penny Sales Tax taxes residents and tourists seven cents sales tax. Six cents goes to Tallahassee, but the seventh cent stays in Marion County. 

That penny exclusively pays capital needs for transportation, building and repairing roads and capital needs for first responders, equipment, vehicles and facilities.  

Its transformative effect can’t be understated. In 2016, voters approved the sales tax garnering 55% of the vote. In 2020, voters approved it again with a strong 70% support, showing that residents recognize its value and trust in what it finances.

Ocala Metro CEP’s Director of Executive Engagement Tom James introduces the CEP’s CEO Kevin Sheilley at the CEP’s exCEPtional breakfast at the Reilly Arts Center Sept. 18, 2024. Courtesy: Kathy Dugan/352today
Kevin Sheilley, Ocala Metro CEP’s chief executive officer, was the featured speaker at the CEP’s exCEPtional breakfast. His presentation focused on growth within the community, how it is transforming the area, the importance of taxes and funding mechanisms, and the significance of the services those additional revenues provide. Courtesy: Kathy Dugan/352today
The featured speaker at the Ocala Metro CEP’s exCEPtional breakfast was the CEP’s CEO Kevin Sheilley, who talked about the impact of growth in the community and why it’s important. Courtesy: Kathy Dugan/352today

The money went to Marion County Public Safety, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and various road projects and repairs. In the City of Ocala, funds were used toward public safety buildings, police and fire department vehicles and first responder communication systems. 

Sheilley argues the penny tax needs to be renewed because it acts as a flexible source for funding and repairing roads, and it acts as a consistent funding source for transportation infrastructure.  

Half-Penny call to action 

Due to the rise in tourists, a referendum is set for November 5, 2024, to vote on a half-cent sales tax that has positive impact on Marion County Public Schools (MCPS). This tax would generate essential funds for new construction projects to update and repair old schools and facilities for the growing population. 

  • Around 46% of MCPS are over 50 years old 
  • 78% of MCPS are more than 30 years old 
  • All portable MCPS classrooms are at least 20 years old