Citrus County’s Planning and Development Commission weighed a rezoning request to expand a proposed

Citrus County’s Planning and Development Commission weighed a rezoning request to expand a proposed 1,356-acre industrial park near Holder to attract data centers and heavy industry. Deltona Corporation seeks to add about 800 acres to the county’s existing 557-acre industrial zone, arguing the project would deliver thousands of jobs—about 2,450 construction roles and 825 company positions—and may include workforce housing. The plan proposes a 100-foot buffer between heavy industry and nearby homes. But residents packed meeting rooms with concerns about water use, electricity costs, traffic, noise, light, and diesel-generator emissions that could drain wells and suppress property values. Some warned the Nature Coast would be paved over; others stressed the ecological value of floodplains and ponds. Commissioners delayed a final vote for more information on what would occupy the site, while lawmakers in Tallahassee weigh a statewide data-center bill that must pass the House by March 13. Like 👍 Subscribe 🔔 and stay informed. Visit NHENews.COM for more top headlines.