Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ocala Metro CEP reports downtown market growth, entrepreneurship programs and aviation focus
Summary
Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership told the city council the downtown weekend market draws about 5,000 visitors per Saturday and highlighted entrepreneurship training, an air-mobility task force and plans for life‑sciences and health incubators.
Leaders of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) presented an annual update to the Ocala City Council on Sept. 16, outlining economic-development activity that city and CEP staff said is driving downtown visitation, new-business formation and targeted industry recruitment.
Tamara Fleischhacker, interim CEO and chief experience officer for the CEP, said the downtown market draws roughly 5,000 visitors each Saturday at peak season and that the covered booth area holds 57 vendors and fills consistently. The CEP reported more than 95 ancillary events in the past year in the downtown market area, and said market visitors generally extend their visits to nearby stores and restaurants.
Heather Schubert, the CEP’s chief growth officer, summarized entrepreneurship and talent initiatives. The CEP hosts about 77 events annually for business creation and support, including the Fast Track program and a partnership with the Kauffman Foundation. Schubert said a recent Fast Track graduating class included more than 20 business founders; CEP-run business-lender matchmaking events drew more than 70 participants and roughly 15 financial institutions.
The CEP also described sector and site work: a newly created air-mobility task force is evaluating advanced-air-mobility and commercial air service potential at Ocala International Airport; city, county and private partners are discussing a life-sciences/healthcare incubator; and several industrial projects remain in prospect, with the CEP reporting more than 4,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in capital investment announced in the region over the past five years.
The CEP noted a coming grand opening for Circularix in November and said the Trailhead Logistics Park in Marion Oaks recently was taken off the market. The speakers credited city staff and partners for permitting, site-development and marketing support and said recent outreach to site selectors and international trade shows is generating leads.
Why it matters: CEP work influences economic development, job creation and downtown activation. The metrics presented — market attendance, program graduates and lead activity — form the basis for city‑CEP contract performance monitoring and future budget and infrastructure choices.
Sources: Ocala Metro CEP presentation to the City Council, Sept. 16, 2025; statements by Tamara Fleischhacker and Heather Schubert.
