Media executive Lisa Varner promoted to sales manager

North Central Florida Media Group has promoted event director Lisa Varner to sales manager.

“Lisa’s attention to detail and ability to multi-task while managing events and an account list has been remarkable,” said Howard Tuuri, general manager, in a news release. “Moving into a full-time management role is a logical next step in her career.”

The group operates the 93.7 K-Country and 92.5/95.5 Wind-FM radio stations.

Business news for Jan. 10, 2022: Duke Energy Foundation gives $10K grant to Ocala Metro CEP

Packed house: In less than a decade, 97% of land in Ocala/Marion County Commerce Park is sold

Huge SW Marion land sales: More than 6,200 acres for $28.4 million near Dunnellon

New Dollar General opens in Reddick

Dollar General has opened a store at 10574 West County Road 318 in Reddick.

"DG stores are proud to provide area residents with an affordable and convenient store location to purchase household essentials including food, cleaning supplies, paper products, over-the-counter medicines, hygiene products, baby items and more through its mission of Serving Others," the company said in a news release.

13th Born Learning Trail opens in northeast Ocala

The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County held a ribbon cutting last week for the 13th Born Learning Trail in Marion.

The coalition partners on this project with United Way Success by 6, Altrusa International of Ocala and Volunteers of America of Florida.

The newest trail is at the Ritz Veterans Village Reserve Phase II apartment building, 1124 NE Second St., Ocala.

"Born Learning Trails include research-based games that build language and literacy, key drivers of school readiness, while promoting quality family engagement opportunities," the coalition said in a news release. "Volunteers from Altrusa along with Lake Weir High School ASTRA and Key Clubs hand painted the trail."

U-Haul ranks Ocala No. 24 growth market

Ocala is the No. 24 growth city in the United States "based on U-Haul truck moves throughout 2021," the company announced in a news release.

"People coming to Ocala in one-way U-Haul trucks rose 18% year-over-year, while departures rose nearly 23% from 2020," the release says. "Despite the larger surge in departures, arriving customers still accounted for 51.3% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in Ocala during 2021 to keep it a leading city for netting do-it-yourself movers."

Ocala ranked No. 6 in 2020 and No. 3 in 2019 on U-Haul's scale.

The Top 5 this year: Kissimmee-St. Cloud; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Palm Bay-Melbourne; North Port; and Madison, Wisconsin.

Ashley Wheeler-Gerds is new director of strategic engagement for Community Foundation

Ashley Wheeler-Gerds is the new director of strategic engagement for The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County. Until recently she was general manager of the Paddock Mall and Gaitway Plaza in Ocala.

"Ashley will lead the team in engaging individuals, businesses and grantors by encouraging them to partner with the Community Foundation and support the foundation's vision of enhancing the quality of life for everyone in Marion County," the foundation said in a news release.

Dr. Kyle Houston to open Ocala dental practice

Dr. Kyle Houston will open Foxwood Dental Care, a full-service, state-of-the-art family dental practice, on Feb. 11. He earned his bachelor's and dental degrees at the University of Florida.

The practice will be located at 4631 NW Blitchton Road, Ocala. Call 352-421-3569 or visit http://FoxwoodDentalCare.com/.

Major donations announced by the Reilly Arts Center

Frank J. DeLuca has donated $250,000 to the Reilly Arts Center expansion project, and the new north lobby will be named The Frank J. DeLuca Grand Lobby, according to a news release from the arts center.

NOMA Records and NOMA Gallery are contributing $250,000 over five years, and a new, 4,000-square-foot multi-use theater will be called The NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center.

The center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala, still has donation and naming opportunities available, according to the release.

Marion County Public Schools needs bus drivers

"Bus Blitz 2" – an effort to hire more bus drivers for Marion County Public Schools – will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 25.

"During this time, MCPS will drive and park school buses at five strategic locations to sign up residents to become bus drivers. Locations include the College of Central Florida, Liberty Middle School, Madison Street Academy, Marion Oaks Community Center, and North Marion High School," the school district said in a news release.

Interested people can stop and learn more and even fill out an application. The starting wage is $15.65 an hour. More information at 352-671-7050 or www.marionschools.net/careers.

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This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala/Marion business news includes promotions, Dollar General opening