Could the Ocala National Forest become the Next Amazon Jungle?

 Just a little stretch of some imagination.  Although Ocala does have a national forest.  And even a few monkeys are living in the wild there.  No, the Ocala National Forest in not the next Amazon Jungle.

But Amazon, the internet blockbuster store may be considering Ocala for one of its next warehouse locations and for many reasons, it would make a good choice.

Leaders hopeful Amazon might build in Ocala

"The news that Amazon is bringing thousands of jobs, millions of investment dollars and massive distribution hubs to Florida has touched off mad speculation about which communities would reap the windfall. And many locals hope Ocala is in the mix."

"Locally, officials and observers believe the Ocala-Marion County Commerce Park deserves to be on the short list for Amazon's consideration. The main reason is the site's well known features: immediate access to Interstate 75, proximity to an international airport and a soon-to-be-added railroad spur that will tie in to CSX Transportation's main freight line through the state."

"FedEx intends to build a roughly 400,000-square-foot distribution center on 150 acres at the nearly 500-acre site on the city's north end. The Fortune 500 logistics giant intends to spend $123 million for buildings and equipment, creating 165 jobs that pay an average yearly salary of $31,536. In March the County Commission and Ocala City Council both approved a joint incentive package valued at $3.5 million for FedEx to locate there."