Plans are underway for the construction of a substantial new community in southwest Florida, spearheaded by one of the state’s largest citrus producers. Alico, Inc., based in Fort Myers, intends to build a 3,000-acre community shortly after announcing its decision to cease citrus-growing operations at the conclusion of this season. The company has submitted a development application for the first of two planned villages, situated near the intersection of Collier, Lee, and Hendry counties. Each village is expected to include approximately 4,500 homes, alongside 6,000 acres of protected conservation land.
Alico, Inc. holds an extensive portfolio of land, owning 53,371 acres across eight Florida counties and 48,700 acres of oil, gas, and mineral rights within the state. The shift away from citrus production follows a significant decline in output, with the company noting a reduction of nearly 75% over the past decade. This decline mirrors the broader challenges facing the Florida citrus industry.
Contributing to the industry’s struggles are natural disasters and citrus greening disease, which have resulted in a 90% decrease in Florida’s orange production over the past twenty years. Concurrently, the burgeoning population in Florida has prompted developers to repurpose former orange groves into residential areas. At the century’s turn, citrus groves occupied more than 832,000 acres in Florida, but by last year, this number had dwindled to around 275,000 acres. Meanwhile, California has surpassed Florida as the leading citrus producer in the United States.
The Societal Shift
The decision by Alico, Inc. to transition from citrus farming to residential development reflects broader trends impacting Florida’s landscape and economy. As the state continues to experience a population boom, the demand for housing is on the rise, creating opportunities for developers to build new communities where agricultural land once thrived. This shift may lead to a transformation in both the local economy and the environment.
The reduction in citrus farming could impact the agricultural industry and related sectors, potentially reducing job opportunities for those previously employed in citrus production. Conversely, the development of new residential areas may spur economic growth through increased construction jobs and the need for services in these burgeoning communities. This evolution of land use underscores the dynamic nature of Florida’s economic landscape, influenced by both environmental challenges and human migration patterns.