About Us

Our History

In response to a well-researched and documented disparity in established businesses and affordable housing, the Greater Ocala Community Development Corporation (GOCDC) was organized by the Marion County NAACP and Labor and Industry Committee in July of 1994 to provide social and economic solutions to West Ocala residents. Since our inception, GOCDC has been helping local entrepreneurs build better businesses through mentoring, education, obtaining loans, and grants. We have helped entrepreneurs open dry cleaners, technology companies, and retail establishments.

Our Objectives

The Greater Ocala Community Development Corporation will not only develop strategies for growth and increasing economic sustainability, but will support what individuals and families are trying to accomplish as a community. We live in an age of knowledge, a new era in which radically different outlooks and business models are necessary to remain competitive. Success in today’s global, interconnected economy springs from the fast and efficient exchange of information. Sustainable competitive advantage is no longer rooted in physical assets, but in effective channeling of intellectual capital and proper management of the diversity of knowledge within our organizations and communities.

As an active partner with the West Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Committee and using the West Ocala Community Plan as an example of the City's goals, it is necessary to address the fundamental or core competencies
needed for sustainable change. More specifically, GOCDC will address the following questions:

1. What supplemental educational programs are needed to improve graduation rates?
2. What types of social services programs are needed to build stronger households?
3. How do we help small businesses flourish?
4. How do we transition more renters into homeowners?
5. What strategic partnerships are needed to address homelessness and substandard housing?
6. What programs are needed to address unemployment and under employment?

Volunteer with gocdc