Tesla Proposes Electric Semi-Truck Megacharger Station in Ocala
Tesla is proposing a new high-powered charging facility for electric commercial trucks near Interstate 75 in Ocala.
Plans submitted to Marion County call for six Tesla Megacharger posts at the Pilot Travel Center at 4255 West Highway 326, near I-75 Exit 358.
The system would be designed primarily for heavy commercial electric vehicles such as the Tesla Semi. Plans include three preassembled Megacharger units along with V4 cabinets, switchboards and utility transformers.
The project is scheduled to go before the Marion County Development Review Committee today, September 28.
Tesla is requesting a waiver that would allow the company to use a Building Permit Site Plan rather than completing a full Major Site Plan revision for the existing travel center property.
Former AT&T Call Center Sells for $5.2 Million
A large former AT&T facility near Ocala International Airport has changed hands in a multimillion-dollar transaction.
The nearly 10-acre property at 5312 Southwest 6th Place sold for $5,206,650, according to Marion County deed records.
The property includes a roughly 102,400-square-foot industrial building that once served as a major AT&T regional operations and call center.
The building was originally constructed in 1988 for aerospace contractor Martin Marietta and later renovated for AT&T.
The buyer is HWB Ocala LLC, which state records identify as being owned by Ocala developer Kirk Boone.
The property is zoned M-1 for light industrial uses including manufacturing, warehousing and distribution.
36 Emergency Housing Beds Coming for Ocala-Area Veterans
A statewide expansion of emergency housing for veterans will include new resources for Ocala and Marion County.
VOA Florida is creating 102 emergency residential beds across Florida.
Of those, 36 beds will be allocated to the Ocala/Marion Continuum of Care.
The beds are intended to provide immediate short-term housing and support services to veterans experiencing homelessness.
Food Distribution Helps 762 Marion County Families
United Way of Marion County and several community partners have completed a large food distribution effort at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex.
A total of 48,358 pounds of donated food was distributed to 762 families, with 189 volunteers participating.
United Way partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Operation Compassion of Florida, Publix and Wings of Faith for the effort.
New Italian Cafe Opens at Paddock Mall
La Dolce Vita Cafe has opened its second Ocala location, this time inside Paddock Mall.
The Italian-style cafe occupies the mall's former Starbucks location and serves gelato, specialty coffee, pastries and focaccia sandwiches.
The business already operates another Ocala location.
Also New This Week: Florida Minimum Wage Reaches $15
Florida’s minimum wage increases by another dollar on Wednesday, September 30, reaching $15 an hour.
The increase completes the six-year series of annual increases approved by Florida voters through a 2020 constitutional amendment. Tipped employees will have a minimum cash wage of $11.98 an hour, with employers applying the permitted tip credit.
