Uniquely citizen-led effort recognized.

In late August 2024, with our first county strategic plan only 20 months old, the National Association of Counties honored Citrus County with the NACo EDGE award for strategic planning. Three of these were awarded, out of over 3,000 counties nationally. (See Chronicle story.)

Holly ran in 2020 on the need for a strategic plan to deal with the forecast growth from the Suncoast Parkway, and was fortunate that the 2021 board voted with her agenda item to start the process. Throughout 2022, many residents and longtime leaders in the community put the plan together with the tireless help of county leadership and staff. Great job Team Citrus! 🏆 (See Holly’s op-ed on the teamwork.)

We’re going through growing pains now, but will be more and more prepared as we not only catch up, but really get in front of growth with proactive, cost-efficient planning for space needs and infrastructure. A big part of our future success in having a vibrant economy, quality of life, and remaining low in tax burden will be diversification to clean light industry and other high-wage businesses locating within Citrus County, along with a greater variety of quality housing, most notably in the workforce/attainable end of the scale.

Keeping the nature in the nature coast is first and foremost the goal, as is reflected in our county’s motto of “Where nature and community thrive.”