An online truck accessory retailer is bringing its global headquarters to Ocala.
RealTruck, which was founded in 1997, plans to create 77 new high-wage jobs and is making a capital investment of $2 million, according to a release from the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP).
“Ocala is a business-friendly fit for our headquarters,” said Tracy Harper, Jr., executive vice president of operations for RealTruck. “The area has great talent and innovation.”
The CEP partnered with the city of Ocala, Marion County and CareerSource CLM to make the deal with the company that offers more than 500,000 truck accessories a reality.
“We are excited to welcome RealTruck to Ocala/Marion County,” said Matt Wardell, Ocala City Council president. “This is a great opportunity for our community and we look forward to the growth and economic impacts this will provide for Ocala.
Kathy Bryant, chairman of the Marion County Commission, agreed.
“We are so excited that RealTruck is locating its headquarters in Marion County,” she said. “This wonderful, innovative, growing company is the latest to realize that Marion County is an amazing place to call home.”
RealTruck’s new headquarters will occupy 19,000 square feet in the Market Street at Heath Brook shopping center. The company plans to begin construction before 2019 and already has started the hiring process to fill the new positions it’s bringing to the Marion County area.
“This is an exciting time for our company,” Harper said. “We hope to continue our great partnerships with the CEP, city and county as we maintain our presence in the community.”
RealTruck is one of several companies that have decided to bring their firms to Ocala and Marion County. Last month, popular food market Wawa broke ground on three Ocala/Marion County locations. And in June, Bryant and her fellow commissioners touted several other economic accomplishments in a “State of the County” presentation, among them a FedEx distribution center, online pet supplies business Chewy.com’s distribution center, an AutoZone distribution center, the World Equestrian Center and the 900-acre Florida Commerce Park located on County Road 484 near Marion Oaks.