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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 5

Niagara to close its Ocala plant; 57 jobs end Dec. 31

Plus, Marion County voters approve a land conservation bond of up to $140 million.

The Daily Ocala team2 stories11 sources5 min read

BusinessTop story

Niagara Bottling is closing its Ocala plant and laying off the last 57 workers

The plant's last 57 jobs are scheduled to end Dec. 31

  1. Sept. 2025Niagara buys the plant for $25.7 million
  2. Oct. 2025Eighty-five workers are laid off at the plant
  3. March 2026Niagara tells Ocala-News.com the plant is not closing
  4. Oct. 31Niagara's announces the plant's closure
  5. Dec. 31Terminations of the 57 remaining workers are scheduled to take effect

Sources: Ocala-News.com, WCJB

Niagara Bottling is closing the former plant at 2445 NW 42nd Street. A dated Oct. 31, sent to Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano and the Florida Department of Commerce, cites an "organizational restructuring". WCJB says the layoffs are expected by the end of the year.

The 57 jobs are the plant's entire remaining staff, from injection operators and forklift drivers to quality control staff and the plant director.

  • Plant history: the Richmond family operated it starting in 1991
  • Niagara's other Florida plants: Groveland and Jacksonville

In March, Niagara told Ocala-News.com the plant wasn't closing and that it was streamlining operations with a smaller workforce.

Niagara paid $25.7 million for a plant it is now closing

$25.7 million
paid for the Ocala plant
85
workers laid off after the purchase
57
remaining jobs set to end Dec. 31

Sources: Ocala-News.com, WCJB

Community

VOCAL wants to add two buildings to treat and house more animals in southwest Ocala

Voices of Change Animal League, or , says an estimated 40,000 cats and dogs in Marion County aren't spayed or neutered. Its clinic gets at least 10 requests a day to take in animals, and about 50 dogs and up to 15 cats are on site now.

So VOCAL filed plans with Marion County for two new buildings on its 22.5-acre campus at 6393 SW 52nd Street. WKMG reports the group has presented the plan to the county's and must clarify utility plans before final approval.

VOCAL's expansion would add 8,694 square feet beside its 2,500-square-foot clinic

Floor area of the proposed expansion, beside places you know

The proposed expansion8,694 sq. ft.Two new buildings
VOCAL's existing vet clinic2,500 sq. ft.Built in 2019
A basketball court4,700 sq. ft.NBA size

Sources: WKMG, ocala-news.com

View as table
Floor area
The proposed expansion8,694 sq. ft. (Two new buildings)
VOCAL's existing vet clinic2,500 sq. ft. (Built in 2019)
A basketball court4,700 sq. ft. (NBA size)
  • Vet clinic and resource center: 6,187 square feet
  • Quarantine and isolation building: 2,507 square feet
  • Fundraising goal: $5 million
  • Deed rule: at least 3,000 spay and neuter surgeries a year

“We really want to support people that love their pets and keep them in their homes.”

Kate Rengel, VOCAL executive director

Rengel says a bigger VOCAL would be a stronger partner for the county shelter.

40,000cats and dogs in Marion County estimated to be unspayed or unneutered

says spaying and neutering is key to keeping pets out of shelters.

Sources: WKMG, ocala-news.com

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Asked

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Asked

How do you plan to help Marion County's homeless pets?

Be the first to answer.

News Notes

Land bond

Marion County voters approved a land conservation bond referendum authorizing up to $140 million in general obligation bonds for land purchases and stewardship, including water quality and outdoor recreation at parks and trails. The bond is repaid through a property tax levy capped at 0.35 mills. Chronicle Online

$140 millionin bonds Marion County voters authorized for land conservation

The bond is repaid through a property tax levy capped at 0.35 mills.

Source: Chronicle Online

Second Target

A proposed second Target store near State Road 200 has some residents welcoming the convenience and others worried about traffic. Developers say the store would have no direct access from State Road 200, but opponent Kristen Craft worries it would push more traffic onto side roads such as Southwest 80th Avenue. WKMG

Foxwood Farms

The Ocala City Council on Tuesday approved a budget amendment bringing in $718,476, the remaining half of a state grant, to connect the Foxwood Farms mobile home community to the city's central sewer. The project is aimed at reducing nitrogen pollution runoff into Rainbow Springs. 352Today.com

Light Up Ocala

The city has set Sat., Nov. 21 for this year's Light Up Ocala, a free downtown tradition going on 42 years. The Downtown Square stage runs 3:30 to 8 p.m. with live music by Audio Exchange. 352Today.com

Emergency chief

More than two months after Preston Bowlin retired, no one outside the sheriff's office can say who is Marion County's emergency management director, the Ocala Gazette reports. The county administrator said Sheriff Billy Woods hasn't told county leadership, and state records still list Bowlin as director. Ocala Gazette

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Community

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We hope you’re enjoying what we deliver to your inbox: a feel-good snapshot of what’s happening around town. No doomscrolling, no dry headlines — just real stories, uplifting news, and local happenings that bring our community together.

But here’s the thing: creating meaningful, high-quality local content takes time, heart, and resources. That’s where you come in.

Over the next few days, we’re organizing a fundraising campaign to boost our daily, hyperlocal newsletters, and we’d love your support with a recurring monthly gift. Think of it like buying us a cup of coffee every month. You'll help keep our content free and continue growing a positive local space we can all be proud of. Prefer a one-time gift? That's great, too — every dollar is a high five to our small team and a boost to local news.

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Asked

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Asked

Are you heading to Light Up Ocala on Nov. 21?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.

— Sylvia Plath

Things to Do

Things to Do

Ocala, FL

Thursday, Nov. 5

See every Ocala eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

Submit your Job listing

Do you know just the job for our readers? Share it on our Jobs board.

The Buy

Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

Good morning my people.

“Happy Thanksgiving Month! I'm Buck The Bom Bom. I'm the big brother of beautiful sister Nullah TuTu and my gorgeous little sister China Tutu . Sorry, my shirt didn't get until this morning. That Amazon guy, I should give him a piece of my mind. Anyways I came to let you know that if one of you mess with my sisters…”

— A neighbor, Chestnut Rd
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The Wrap

Blacksmithing, sugar cane syrup making and open-hearth cooking are all on the menu at Ocali Country Days, a step back to the 1800s at the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center on Sat., Nov. 7 and Sun., Nov. 8. You can also tour pioneer cabins and ride a tram around the state park. Simmer down, syrup lovers.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Marion County racetrack land found; Trinity plays for a state title

Read yesterday’s edition

The Daily Ocala teamOcala’s daily newsletter

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Every source in this edition11 links · 9 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Ocala-News.comocala-news.com
  3. WCJBwcjb.com
  4. WKMGclickorlando.com
  5. ocala-news.comocala-news.com
  6. Chronicle Onlinechronicleonline.com
  7. WKMGclickorlando.com
  8. 352Today.com352today.com
  9. 352Today.com352today.com
  10. Ocala Gazetteocalagazette.com
  11. Ocala events calendardailyocala.com

Past issues

  1. Wed., Nov. 4Marion County racetrack land found; Trinity plays for a state title
  2. Tues., Nov. 3Gas scare at downtown Ocala Square; chili cook-off Saturday
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Daily Ocalato me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

Niagara to close its Ocala plant; 57 jobs end Dec. 31

Plus, Marion County voters approve a land conservation bond of up to $140 million.

The TLDR

  1. Niagara is closing its Ocala plant and laying off 57 workers
  2. VOCAL plans two new buildings to treat more homeless pets
  3. Voters approve up to $140 million for land conservation
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Ocala’s other editions

All the news
Horse CountryRacetrack developers say they've secured 300 acres in Marion County for a Thoroughbred trackIf you've been waiting on a Marion County racetrack, there's movement. Gilligan Racing, LLC and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association said in an Oct. 28 press release that they've "secured control" of some 300 acres for a Thoroughbred track. They haven't said where.Wednesday’s editionRead High School SportsTrinity Catholic volleyball is one win from a Class 2A state titleIf you're rooting for the Celtics, today's the day. The No. 1 seed beat No. 4 seed Saint Andrews on Tuesday in the Class 2A semifinals at Polk State College in Winter Haven. Trinity Catholic now plays Northside Christian for the state title on Wed., Nov. 4.Wednesday’s editionRead

Around Ocala

From WCJB, Palatka Daily News and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. WCJB2 hours ago

    Jury selection set for man accused of killing woman from the United Kingdom in Marion County

    Investigators say Exelby traveled from the UK to Reddick after asking Hall to kill her, but she changed her mind.

  2. WCJB5 hours ago

    Niagara Bottling to close Ocala plant, lay off 57 workers

    Niagara Bottling is closing its water bottling plant in Ocala and laying off the remaining 57 employees, according to a notice company officials filed with the state.

  3. Palatka Daily News10 hours ago

    District 3-2A cross country championship: Numerous teams, runners advance to regional meet

    Wednesday turned into a very good day for county cross country runners competing in the District 3-2A championship meet at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation in Brooksville. The Interlachen Junior-Senior High girls finished fourth in the team competition, both Interlachen’s Paislee Guessford and Palatka’s Agatha Wigham moved another step toward competing in the state meet again, Palatka first-year runner Tremarion

  4. Palatka Daily News10 hours ago

    Region 1-2A Swimming Preview: One Step From State

    The Palatka Junior-Senior High School swimming season has come down to three individuals and a handful of relay teams competing Thursday at the Region 1-2A championship at the Cecil Field Aquatics Center in Jacksonville. One of the individual swimmers, eighth grader Shelby Malandrucco, has competed at the state championship meet last year, the others are vying to get there, including

  5. 352Today.com10 hours ago

    Ocali Country Days takes a step back to the 1800s this weekend

    Ocali Country Days brings local history and educational fun to Silver Springs Nov. 7 & 8.

    Also reported byOcala-News.com

  6. 352Today.com10 hours ago

    Ocala City Council approves rezoning, ends 2008 agreement for vacant SW 20th Street property

    The unanimous vote changes the 2.8-acre lot from limited neighborhood business to standard neighborhood business zoning and lifts old restrictions that banned alcohol uses and capped building size.