Following a string of high-profile business closures across downtown Ocala, city officials are evaluating a new grant program that could provide hundreds of thousands of dollars to help attract, retain, and expand local restaurants and retail shops in the heart of the city.
Following a string of long-standing business closures across the downtown core, Ocala officials are evaluating a newly revamped grant program designed to inject $500,000 into the area by offering up to $150,000 per project to attract, retain, and expand local retail shops and restaurants.
The proposed Retail and Restaurant Attraction, Retention and Expansion Grant framework is being presented to the Downtown Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee following direction from a City Council work session…