During a visit to Ocala on Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that a $4 million grant from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will be used to build a new interchange at Interstate 75 and NW 49th Street in Marion County.
DeSantis awarded the grant funding to the Florida Department of Transportation to help provide the necessary infrastructure improvements to support a new Buc-ee’s location in Marion County. In addition, the new interchange is expected to reduce traffic congestion at other I-75 interchanges in the Ocala area while expanding access to the interstate for two industrial and commercial development complexes and the nearby World Equestrian Center.
The new 80,000 square-foot Buc-ee’s travel center will be located directly east of I-75 and 1.75 miles south of W Highway 326 in Ocala, and it will include 120 fuel pumps, more than 720 parking spots for visitors, and a 125-foot-tall sign along I-75 to entice visitors.
Founded in 1982, Buc-ee’s is committed to providing a clean, friendly, and in-stock experience for customers. In addition to its gas stations, Buc-ee’s is known for its clean restrooms, branded clothing, and an enormous selection of foods including Texas-style brisket, nuts, jerky, and Beaver Nuggets (caramel popcorn).
While most Buc-ee’s are located in Texas, the upcoming travel center in Ocala will become Buc-ee’s third location in Florida – the other two can be found in Daytona Beach and St. Augustine.
The FDOT infrastructure project is expected to have an economic impact of $21 million while creating approximately 1,500 new jobs, and Governor DeSantis believes that it will further establish Ocala as a strategic hub for freight-related traffic in Central Florida.
“By making strategic investments like today’s $4 million Job Growth Grant Fund Award, Florida will continue to fuel economic growth across the state,” stated Governor DeSantis. “Ocala’s ideal location at the center of our state makes it prime for new manufacturing opportunities and for visitors looking for a place to stop and grab some beaver nuggets. I look forward to seeing the opportunities this award will create for Floridians, businesses, and communities in Central Florida.”
The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program that is designed to promote public infrastructure and workforce training across the state. Proposals are reviewed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI), and chosen by Governor DeSantis to meet the demand for workforce or infrastructure needs in the communities they are awarded to.
In fiscal year 2021-2022, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund awarded a total of 19 projects, and 14 projects were awarded in fiscal year 2022-2023 as of October. Proposals are currently being accepted by DEO and EFI until all available funding has been awarded.
For more information, visit the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Florida Job Growth Grant Fund webpage.