Diversification of the work force in Marion County may have its benefits. But it's also coming attached with a new demand for essential services, such as housing, in the area- and the county is having difficulty keeping up.
Approximately 50,000 housing units have been constructed in Ocala over the past half-decade. Kevin Sheilley, the President and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber And Economic Partnership, spoke in even more absolute terms about the exploding need for housing in his county. Per Sheilley, an average of 190 people per week are moving into Marion County. That's equal to just under 10,000 per calendar year.
The population of Ocala is expected to eclipse 400,000 by 2024, and 500,000 within another decade and a half. This is due in large part to the explosion of the job market in the area. But more people means a need for more services, and Marion County is fighting to keep up.
One example locals cite is the need for more fire stations. James Banta, the Marion County Fire Chief, stated that ten more fire stations are needed across the county, each of which would cost millions of dollars.
Another problem is expected to be the funding of road-related projects. Marion County anticipates having to spend north of $500,000 million over the next half-decade on its roads, and it simply doesn't have that in its budget right now.
