The MCBIA is committed to working with our Community Partners to help promote and protect home ownership among all people, and to provide career opportunities for today’s youth in support of the future growth needs of Marion County by working with the Marion Technical Institute (MTI) Construction Sciences Academy and Marion Technical College, MTC.

Home ownership can and should be within the reach of every American and we are dedicated to the betterment of our community by supporting various initiatives and projects that exemplify the best attributes of our industry.

Here are just a few community partnerships we have developed to meet our goals. Click on any partners to visit their website.

If you are planning on doing business in Ocala, you’ve made the right choice.  The Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) offers a variety of business services to meet the needs of our business partners. The lifeblood of the CEP is our 1200+ partners, the vast majority of which are small businesses, whose stated goal in partnering with CEP is networking and growing their businesses.

While we offer a variety of resources and programs to help businesses grow, we are focused on three key initiatives to meet our partners’ needs:

  1. Structured networking events and forums;

  2. Talent and workforce development;

  3. Educational opportunities.

The CEP seeks to engage business from throughout the county to participate in all Talent Development initiatives; specifically, our various Leadership programs: LOM, LOMY, ELO, and RPEG. The CEP offers a variety of networking programs ranging from our monthly Business After Hours, where over 150 partners gather each month at a host location, to our unique Net|Works program where leads and referrals are exchanged in a small group settings. Twice a month, the CEP offers opportunities for our partners to sharpen their business skills or learn about current issues impacting business through our TuesdayTalks Business Advancement Series.  Whatever your industry or business size, the Chamber & Economic Partnership is working hard to ensure your success!

The Ocala Marion County Association of REALTORS® was established January 1, 1922.

The Association’s Objectives are:

  1. To unite those engaged in the recognized branches of the real estate profession for the purpose of exerting a beneficial influence upon the profession and related interests.

  2. To promote and maintain high standards of conduct in the real estate profession as expressed in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS®.

  3. To provide a unified medium for real estate owners and those engaged in the real estate profession whereby their interests may be safeguarded and advanced.

  4. To further the interests of home and other real property ownership.

  5. To unite those engaged in the real estate profession in this community with Florida Realtors and the National Association of REALTORS®, thereby furthering their own objectives throughout the state and nation and obtaining the benefits and privileges of membership therein.

  6. To designate, for the benefit of the public, individuals authorized to use the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS® as licensed, prescribed and controlled by the National Association of REALTORS®.

Careers in the building and design industry such as masons, framers, electricians, drafters, plumbers, HVAC technicians, building designers, surveyors, and geotechnical specialists abound. Students will receive hands-on training in the choice of two career paths: building construction technology or computer aided drafting & design while receiving instruction from a wide variety of local industry professionals. This training enables students to seek immediate employment or transfer college credits to SFC’s building construction program, as well as earn national certifications, and Gold Seal Scholarship opportunities. Just one can seal the deal for your college education or immediate access to a rewarding career!

National Certifications Available: National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)®, OSHA®

In 1959, a group of Ocala parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities embarked on a journey that we proudly carry forward today by forming the New Hope School for Children.  In the early 1960’s these groups formed all over the U.S. and soon formed into the Association of Retarded Children (ARC).  In the early 1970’s they changed the name to Association of Retarded Citizens to encompass all ages.  In the 1980’s we dropped the acronym, and we just became known as ARC.  However, in February 2007, the ARC Marion Board of Directors decided to change the name once again, since we are not affiliated with either the state or national ARC.  Our name is Advocacy Resource Center (ARC), because that’s what we do; advocate for our clients!

Scheduling flexibility offers a great advantage for students of MTI, allowing class attendance during times that are convenient to students. Students take their core courses at their base school.

Students will receive a high school diploma while also having the opportunity to earn impressive national certifications, scholarship money and college credits through Gold Seal programs. Working closely with Business Advisory Councils composed of local industry leaders, students will participate in work-based learning experiences and “hands-on” training activities while attending MTI.

Students attending MTI must meet the same graduation requirements as any student within Marion County Public Schools. All of the MTI career academies offer Gold Seal Scholarship opportunities.

One of the most exciting benefits is that students enrolled in MTI still have the option to graduate with their original high school class. Additionally, MTI students do not have to give up high school sports programs or extracurricular activities such as prom or Grad Nite. They can play on their school football team, be a part of the drama club, or belong to their favorite service club. The “traditional” high school experience remains intact, even as students tailor their education to prepare for specific career fields.

“Learning Today, Building Tomorrow”

The FBA helps support, educate and mentor young people interested in pursuing careers in the construction industry and the trades to contribute to a stable workforce. We work together with the Charlotte Technical Center to continue programs such as drafting, engineering, and construction. The program links the local professionals to their future workforce and building industry leaders. The FBA has a Scholarship fund that helps address the pressing need for a better-trained workforce in the building industry and awards scholarships to those wanting to continue their education in Universities or Trade Schools. Another program is the FBA’s Annual Leadership Training Camp that helps students learn more about their selected industry. Run by leaders of the building industry, the students develop Team Building, Leadership and Networking skills through various classes and activities.​

What the FBA is…​

  • The FBA was established in 2000 by the Florida Home Builders Association to help students understand and pursue careers in the building industry

  • The FBA consists of local chapters located throughout the state in cooperation and partnership with local schools and builders associations

  • The FBA teaches our youth of today the knowledge, skills and leadership needed in the building industry to support the continued quality growth of our communities

  • The FBA is a much-needed resource for students to learn the building industry and employers to find qualified employees

What the FBA does…​

  • The FBA provides annual multi-day, hands-on skilled
    training leadership program with volunteers of the National Association of Home Builders and local FBA chapters

  • The FBA continues yearlong education, technical training and leadership within local school chapters

  • The FBA introduces students to the building industry through guest speakers and field trips to local building sites and businesses

  • The FBA assists in higher education and technical training by awarding scholarships, assisting in apprenticeship
    programs and job placement