OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Ocala has been ranked #17 on a new national list of top distribution hubs across the U.S., making it the only Florida city to earn a spot. The ranking places Ocala ahead of cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, California.
Between 2019 and 2023, Ocala’s distribution and warehouse inventory grew by an impressive 43.4%—the fifth-highest increase in the nation.
Kevin Sheilley, President/CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, highlighted some reasons why Ocala has seen such success in distribution and warehousing.
Ocala is Florida’s logistical center. The central location means an easy ability to reach major markets like Miami, Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Tampa. This allows companies to serve a combined market of around 39 million people. Companies including FedEx and Amazon have set up logistical operations in the area to take advantage of this accessibility.
In addition, Ocala’s population growth has created a sizeable workforce. This helps to maintain the area’s labor costs as the most affordable in the nation. These factors have been key in making Ocala’s distribution growth project successful and sustainable as the area’s growth continues.
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, hosted by CEP President & CEO, Kevin Sheilley.