BUSINESS NEWS

City and community leaders joined AdventHealth leadership to celebrate completion of the AdventHealth Heathbrook ER in Ocala. [Photo courtesy AdventHealth]

AdventhHealth opens new ER

AdventHealth leaders, local government officials and community members recently cut the ribbon on the new AdventHealth Heathbrook ER at 3941 SW College Road, Ocala.

The nearly 14,000-square-foot facility features 12 exam rooms, a resuscitation room, bariatric room, isolation room, rooms designed for obstetric and pediatric patients and a triage room near the lobby. Patients will have access to on-site lab services and advanced imaging, including X-ray, CT scans and ultrasounds.

“As Marion County continues its rapid growth, we know how important it is for families to have emergency care close to home, especially when every second matters,” said Erika Skula, president and CEO of AdventHealth Ocala, in the news release. “This new ER is part of our commitment to provide exceptional whole-person care to the communities we serve.”

HuntonBrady was the architecture firm for the project and Robins & Morton managed construction.

To learn more, go to adventhealth.com/care-pavilion/adventhealth-care-pavilion/heathbrook

SECO Energy 2026 scholarship program

SECO Energy trustees have approved $48,000 for 12 high school seniors who reside in the company’s service territory through the 2026 Youth Scholarship Program. Each selected student will receive $4,000 to help fund their educational journey.

The program is designed to foster local talent, prepare students for future careers and strengthen the pipeline of professionals who may one day join the SECO Energy team, the news release noted.

Applicants must graduate from high school by the end of the 2025-2026 academic year and enroll in a Florida-based college, university or technical school by the end of the same year. Emphasis will be given to students pursuing degrees in technology, business, engineering or mathematics, especially those aligned with the energy sector.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. March 27.

The application is available at secoenergy.com/scholarship

Marion County honors academy graduates

At its Jan. 6 meeting, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners recognized the graduates of the 2025 Employee Academy and celebrated the seventh year of the program.

The academy is part of the county’s five-year Empowering Marion strategic plan, which prioritizes employee development, education and leadership growth.

The 13-week program, held once a week from early September through mid-December, brought together 27 employees from across the organization. Participants gained an understanding of county operations and explored how their roles connect to the broader mission.

Western Ivy relocates to FTBOA

Western Ivy, a custom embroidery and promotional products company, opened Jan. 5 within the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association headquarters at 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala. The company was previously in the Horse and Hound plaza on U.S. Highway 27.

Western Ivy has served the area for three decades.

“This location puts us in the heart of the equine industry and we look forward to bringing our clients’ designs to life in an even better space,” proprietor Raymond Gladwell said in the news release.

“When we announced our office partnership opportunity last fall, Western Ivy is exactly the kind of professional partner we had in mind,” FTBOA Administrative Vice President Steve Koch said, in the release.