Citrus County is known for its springs, forests, and quiet communities — not massive industrial complexes. That’s why so many residents showed up to speak out against the proposed 1,356-acre industrial park northeast of Crystal River that could open the door to a large-scale data center and other heavy industry.

Neighbors living near the proposed site have raised serious concerns about what this project could mean for their wells, their electric bills, their air quality, and their property values. In a region already facing water shortages, residents are worried about the strain that resource-intensive facilities could place on local water supplies. Others fear the constant hum of cooling fans, the glare of industrial lighting, and the possibility of diesel generator emissions drifting into nearby neighborhoods.

Many families moved here to enjoy the natural beauty and peace of the Nature Coast. As Planning and Development Commission Chair David Bramblett said, “We need to keep the nature in the Nature Coast.” Economic development should not come at the expense of the very environment and quality of life that make this community special.

We call on the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners to reject the proposed rezoning and protect our water, our neighborhoods, and our natural lands. Any development of this scale must come with clear guarantees, full transparency, and meaningful safeguards — not unanswered questions.

Citrus County’s future should be shaped by the people who live here, not by open-ended industrial expansion. Please stand with residents and vote no on this rezoning proposal.