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Create Your Business

"A truly prosperous community will not only attract new businesses and retain existing ones, but it will foster business creation within its own local population."

The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) continues to expand current Business Creation efforts through our entrepreneurial programming, technical assistance, capital access initiatives, The Power Plant Business Incubator and the neighborhood EMPOWER incubator program. 

 

We are committed to assisting existing and prospective entrepreneurs by providing the tools and resource to support them throughout the process from start-up through expansion. Learn more about our programs below:

CEP Center for Innovation sponsor:

 

 



The Ocala Metro CEP Business Creation Team provides FREE technical assistance to Marion County entrepreneurs to assist & support them in their startup efforts.

This techincal assistance includes areas such as business planning, market research, and financial analysis.

Additionally, the CEP provides an ongoing program of training sessions to help entrepreneurs at every level.

For more information on programs and assistance, please contact the Business Creation staff

The Power Plant offers a wide array of programs including:

  • Incubator Residency Program
  • Ice House Mindset Training Program
  • FastTrac® Ideate to Launch Class
  • Annual Youth Business Plan Competition 
  • Annual CEP Hackathon (NEW 2024)

FREE Community Events at the Power Plant include:

  • 1 Million Cups Ocala - Wednesdays 9am - 1030am
  • Entrepreneur-in-Residence Financial LIteracy Series -  2nd Wednesday each month
  • SBDC Lunch & Learn Series - 2nd Monday each month

Marion County Youth Business Plan Competition

Since 2013, the Ocala Metro CEP Business Creation Team has partnered with Marion County Public School System & local private education partners to host an Annual Youth Business Plan competition.

This competition contest encourages local public, private, and home-schooled 9-12th grade students to think entrepreneurially and pitch their ideas for new businesses for here in Marion County! Click here for more information and application packet.

Students chosen for the final competition will pitch to local business owners, leaders and educators LIVE on April 4th, 2024 at Raney's, INc. Headquarters here in Ocala, FL.

Save the Date: 2024 Youth Business Plan Competition - April 4th, 2024 5:30PM - 830PM

Thank you to our previous & future Youth Business Plan Competition Sponsors.

Sponsors:

   

 

 

 

Address: 405 SE Osceola Ave. Ocala, FL 34471

Empowering Ocala's Entrepreneurs!

The Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) believes in entrepreneurs. We believe in their ability to change the world and in the importance of their drive, vision, ambition, and success. At The Power Plant Business Incubator, we are committed to to assisting existing and prospective entrepreneurs by providing the tools and resources to support them through the process from start-up through expansion. We power Entrepreneurship.

Residents of the Power Plant work on a campus in the heart of downtown, adjacent to the Ocala Metro CEP and walking distance to a thriving downtown and a National Historic District. The three building campus offers multiple office shapes and sizes, lends itself to flexibility and increased space as the resident startups grow.  

Mission & Vision

POWER PLANT MISSION: To provide a nurturing climate and a sustainable system that successfully attracts, grows and graduates early-stage companies with innovative ideas and scalable business models.

POWER PLANT VISION: The Power Plant will embody and serve as the hub for entrepreneurial activity in the region. It will be a lead contributor to the job creation goals as a key part of the CEP.

Residents

Currently, the Power Plant Business Incubator has eleven resident companies. These companies have all gone through the Power Plant acceptance process which includes a presentation to a committee demonstrating 1) how they are innovative and 2) how they are scaleable. The current resident mix includes a strong emphasis on medical/health care, communications, and technology. Interested in applying for residency? Fill out the application here.

Current Residents

Graduates

To date, thirty six (36) companies have successfully graduated from the Power Plant Business Incubator and twenty-three (23) graduate companies continue to operate & thrive in the Ocala Metro area. To date, these Power Plant graduate companies have created more than 350+ direct Marion County-based jobs.

More Information

To learn more about the Power Plant Business Incubator or to schedule a tour, please contact Jessica MichelDirector of Business Creation & Operations. 

 

Impact presented by Ausley Construction is the newest initiative of the CEP. It is based on the belief that one of the best ways to impact communities is through entrepreneurship. Helping residents create their own jobs and wealth generators will have the most impact long-term and aligns with the CEP mission of creating a prosperous community. This initiative seeks to impact the communities of West Ocala, Marion Oaks, and Silver Springs Shores through onsite business assistance, a Certified Diverse Small Business Enterprise program, multi-language training events, and a supplier matching program.

In addition to the presenting sponsor, IMPACT receives support through the Foundation for CEP, a 501(c)3 not-profit, established to support growing and assisting entrepreneurship, leadership, and talent development in the Ocala Metro. Gifts to the Foundation can be designated to support the IMPACT Initiative.

To learn more about this initiative, please contact Cherrietta Prince, Director of IMPACT.

As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups Ocala works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Mr. Kauffman believed it was a fundamental right for anyone who had a big idea to be able to bring it to life—and we're here to fulfill that mission.

Visit www.1MillionCups.com/Ocala to learn more.

Data and Developers, an informal tech community launching in Ocala, Florida, is your hub for expanding tech knowledge and networking.

We meet weekly on Mondays from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Power Plant Business Incubator, 2nd Floor, offering insightful presentations on emerging tech and software weekly. Our no-sales, discussion-driven environment welcomes entrepreneurs, tech pros, and anyone passionate about technology. With a focus on problem-solving and practical application, our aim is to strengthen the local tech community and provide valuable learning opportunities for all. FREE to attend, bring your own refreshments/snacks/drinks as you'd like.

Launching a new company in the Ocala area? Enroll in our Kauffman FastTrac course for new entrepreneurs. Classes are held 4-5 times each year. Classes are once a week for 10 weeks, meeting for 3 hours each time. In addition to the course material, successful area entrepreneurs and business service providers (banking, insurance, etc.) speak during the course.

Click Here to submit an application for an upcoming FastTrac program facilitated by the Ocala Metro CEP Business Creation team

To answer any questions or concerns prior starting FastTrac program or application, please contact Cherrietta Prince, Director of IMPACT: Cherrietta@OcalaCEP.com

The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership’s Business Creation team e have pooled information from a variety of resources to provide you with advice and best practices.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Small Business Tools

Ready-to-use business tools to help you get the job done faster and easier, including: model business documents, financial spreadsheet templates, checklists, and official government forms.

U.S. Small Business Administration

Starting & Managing a Business

Resource center that features sections on starting and managing a business: Choosing Your Business Structure; Exploring Loans, Grants & Funding; Choose Your Location & Equipment; Hire & Retain Employees; Exporting; Running a Business; Healthcare; and Business Guides by Industry.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center

Enterprise Florida

Start up a Florida Business

Small Business Assistance Programs, Financial Assistance, Assistance for High Tech Start Ups and Contracting Opportunities.

Florida Department of Financial Services

Small Business Owners’ Insurance: a guide for consumers

Florida Department of Revenue

Business Owners Guide to Sales & Use Tax

Start Up Kit for New Business Owners

Florida Trend

Florida Small Business: New Business Start-Up Guide

A small business toolbox featuring: 5 Tips for Creating Your Best Business Plan; Labor Laws: What You Should Know; Forms, Permits & Licenses; Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights; Financing Your Business; Taxes; Insurance; and Selling to the Government.

Jessica McCallum Michel

Director of Business Creation

352.629.8051 x124
Jessica@OcalaCEP.com


Cherrietta Prince

Director of IMPACT Initiative

352.629.8051 x123
Cherrietta@OcalaCEP.com


Tyler LeCompte

Director of Entrepreneurship

352.629.8051 x122
Tyler@OcalaCEP.com