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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:

The Ocala Metro CEP Power Plant 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 Power Plant provides an ongoing program of training sessions to help entrepreneurs at every level.

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 
  • “Hablemos De Negocios” Spanish business workshop

FREE Community Events at the Power Plant include:

 

For more information on programs and assistance, please click here! 

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!

Students chosen for the final competition will pitch to local business owners, leaders and educators LIVE in Ocala, FL.

Click here to learn more about this program or to get involved!

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Address: 405 SE Osceola Ave. Ocala, FL 34471

Empowering Ocala's Entrepreneurs!

The Power Plant Business Incubator (PPBI) was established in 2012 as a launchpad for early-stage startups, helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Located in the heart of downtown Ocala, the Power Plant campus provides a vibrant environment adjacent to the Ocala Metro CEP and within walking distance of a thriving downtown and National Historic District. The campus features flexible office spaces of varying sizes, allowing startups to scale as they grow. 

Since its inception, the Power Plant has proven to be a catalyst for business success, creating over 700 jobs and graduating 36 companies. With this success, we expanded in 2024 by opening the IMPACT Business Incubator in Silver Springs Shores. This new incubator is designed to replicate the dynamic entrepreneurial hub downtown while focusing on empowering local entrepreneurs in the community. 

Together, the Power Plant and IMPACT Business Incubators are building a brighter future for entrepreneurs and the Ocala Metro community. 

Currently, 12 companies are participating in the Incubator Program at the Power Plant Business Incubator and IMPACT Business Incubator. These companies were selected through a thorough application process. To qualify as a Power Plant Partner, businesses must meet the following requirements: 

  • Be headquartered in Ocala/Marion County. 

  • Operate as a for-profit business. 

  • Be independent of a franchise. 

  • Have the ability to scale. 

  • Commit to creating jobs in Ocala. 

  • Drive unique innovation within their industry. 

  • Be legally authorized to work in the United States. 

  • Have a gross revenue under $250K. 

Mission: The Power Plant's mission is to foster a vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurship, where nurturing environments and sustainable systems are cultivated. We strive to attract, support, and propel startups towards success, driving economic growth and positive impact within our community. 
 
Vision: We envision the Power Plant as the epicenter of entrepreneurial activity in the region. By providing valuable resources, connections, and support, we aim to empower entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and aspirations to translate their ideas into thriving businesses. 

To learn more about our Power Plant Partners or how to apply to our Incubator Program, visit https://powerplantincubator.com/residents/  

Application: https://startupspace.app/v2/dynamic-survey/view/398/1359 

To learn more about the Power Plant Business Incubator or to schedule a tour, please contact: Jessica Michel, Incubator Director

 

Impact presented by Ausley Construction is one of the newest initiative of the CEP Power Plant. 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.

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.

Launching a new company in the Ocala area? Enroll in our Kauffman FastTrac course for new entrepreneurs. 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.

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 Incubators

352.629.8051 x 124
Jessica@OcalaCEP.com

Freddie Morris

Director of Entrepreneurship Services

352.629.8051 x122
Freddie@OcalaCEP.com

Evelyn Reyes

Vice President of Business Creation

352.629.8051 x108
Evelyn@OcalaCEP.com

Norman Velásquez Álvarez

Director IMPACT Entrepreneurship Services

352.629.8051 x124
Norman@OcalaCEP.com