| From traditional neighborhoods, gated subdivisions | | | | centers are being developed nearby. A new |
| to sprawling retirement communities, those in | | | | shopping center, Berkshire Oaks, will add major |
| search of a home hopefully can find it all in Ocala, | | | | retailers Kohl's and H.H. Gregg to the fold. |
| as well as throughout Marion County. | | | | - Easy Access To Modern Medcal Facilities |
| Districts like Silver Springs Shores and Marion | | | | Of the county's largest private-sector employers, |
| Oaks, are older, more established residential | | | | two are in health care, three in retail sales, three |
| communities, and are still experiencing robust | | | | in manufacturing, one in finance and one in support |
| growth. Other areas like Fore Ranch and Heath | | | | services. The Munroe Regional Medical Center is |
| Brook are newer subdivisions. The southern | | | | the county's largest single employer, with 2,427 |
| portion of Marion County is also home to a | | | | employees, followed closely by Wal-Mart with |
| selection of massive retirement villages, as well as | | | | 2,385. The proximity of the county health facilities |
| other other gated communities and villages. | | | | to the city offers residents better, and |
| The Ocala/Marion County Building Department has | | | | convenient access to medical care. |
| noted that housing growth in the city and county | | | | - Presence Of High-Tech Industries |
| as well has remained strong, ,and like most of | | | | Ocala's high-tech industries are expanding too. |
| central and south Florida, is being driven by the | | | | Aircraft and tech firm Lockheed Martin continues |
| influx of new families and retirees, who are | | | | to build missile control systems in its Ocala facility, |
| relocating from harsher and colder northern | | | | and Intellon is expanding its line of integrated |
| climates, as well as for the area's growing | | | | circuits into new products. |
| employment opportunities. | | | | - Booming Tourism Market |
| The Indicators For Robust Growth Are In Ocala | | | | As tourism continues to grow, the Ocala/Marion |
| According to local housing experts, most indicators | | | | County Visitor and Convention Bureau recently |
| that would enable a healthy local new home sale | | | | authorized a feasibility study to determine |
| market are reflected in Ocala. These factors, such | | | | whether the area can support a convention |
| as low interest rates, lower cost of construction | | | | meeting facility. New hotels have recently opened |
| products and services, strong commercial | | | | on both the east and west sides of Ocala. A new |
| construction activity, and baby boomers reaching | | | | Holiday Inn Express opened near the Silver |
| retirement age. Overall, the housing sector is | | | | Springs attraction, joined by a Value Place |
| optimistic that the new home market in Marion | | | | extended-stay hotel nearby. |
| County will be healthy over the next 12 to 24 | | | | - The City Hosts A Number Of Housing Events |
| months. | | | | Each Year |
| Ten Reasons Why You Should Invest In Ocala | | | | Each year, several home events are hosted to |
| Real Estate | | | | showcase potential home buyers to area builders. |
| - Availability Of Affordable Housing | | | | Two of the area's largest events are the annual |
| Ocala, as well as Marion County, offers many | | | | spring Parade of Homes and the Fall Showcase of |
| affordable housing programs for income eligible | | | | Homes. The Marion County Building Industry |
| households, and these include the State Housing | | | | Association sponsors both events. |
| Initiative Partnership or SHIP and the Community | | | | - It Is The Horse Capital Of The World |
| Development Block Grant or CDBG for home | | | | Carl Rose, who made millions in the limestone |
| purchase or rehabilitation outside of the city limits | | | | industry, opened his Rosemere Farm just east of |
| of Ocala. In Ocala, the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation | | | | Ocala in the 1930s, However, it was men like |
| Program, which uses federal funds, is among the | | | | Bonnie Heath and Jack Dudley that began |
| programs offered to income eligible residents | | | | breeding Triple Crown champions in Marion as |
| within the city limits. | | | | early as the 1940s and 1950s. Today, Marion, as |
| - Wide Array Of Employment Opportunities | | | | well as Ocala, proudly calls itself "The Horse |
| The slowdown in the housing, credit and | | | | Capital of the World" because of the hundreds of |
| construction sector has led to higher | | | | farms that raise dozens of equine breeds. |
| unemployment in recent months, with the jobless | | | | - The City Offers Many Educational Opportunities |
| rate rising to 4.8 percent. However employment | | | | There are many educational opportunities in |
| in the manufacturing and service sector has risen, | | | | Marion County, and these range from public and |
| and the result is an availability of job options. | | | | private elementary schools to colleges and |
| - The City Has A Thriving Retail Sector | | | | university opportunities. Among them are Central |
| Ocala's retail sector is expected to further grow. | | | | Florida Community College, and its main campus |
| The new Market Street at Heath Brook mall is | | | | on State Road 200 not only offers associate |
| scheduled to open early next year, bringing new | | | | degrees, but also features a University Center |
| options to shoppers, including Dillards and Talbots. | | | | where students can earn bachelor's and master's |
| Paddock Mall, the county's first mall, is slated for a | | | | degrees through online classes at seven |
| renovation and expansion in 2008, and newer | | | | universities. |