Open Letter to the Collier County Planning Commission: Stop Alico’s Destructive Development Plans
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May 15, 2025
Dear Members of the Collier County Planning Commission,
The Save Florida Citrus Groves Foundation, Inc., alongside countless Floridians, write to strongly condemn Alico, Inc.’s proposed development of Corkscrew Grove East and West—two 1,500-acre villages in eastern Collier County on land that once thrived as citrus groves. This 3,000-acre project, announced on March 13, 2025, threatens to further erode Florida’s citrus heritage, devastate local ecosystems, and undermine the livelihoods of small farmers already struggling to survive. We urge you to reject this application and prioritize the preservation of our state’s agricultural legacy over short-term corporate profit.
A Betrayal of Florida’s Citrus Legacy
Alico, once a major citrus grower, announced in January 2025 that it would cease citrus operations after the 2024-2025 harvest, citing citrus greening and economic challenges. Instead of supporting the industry through innovation or aiding small farmers, Alico has chosen to abandon its roots for a $335-380 million real estate venture. This move mirrors a broader trend of neglect by industry leaders. As reported by WLRN, citrus production has plummeted 90% over two decades due to greening, hurricanes, and freezes, yet agencies like the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) have funneled millions into corporate marketing rather than helping small growers. Alico’s pivot to development is a stark example of this betrayal, prioritizing shareholder value over the cultural and economic fabric of Florida’s citrus industry, which still contributes $6.7 billion annually and supports 33,000 jobs.
Environmental Concerns: A Repeat of Past Mistakes
The Corkscrew Grove Villages, while claiming alignment with the Collier County Rural Land Stewardship Area (RLSA) program, pose significant environmental risks. Alico’s plan includes 6,000 acres for conservation, but this gesture feels hollow when compared to the 3,000 acres of former groves that will be bulldozed for 9,000 homes and 560,000 square feet of commercial space. A similar development, the Kingston project approved by Lee County in 2022, offers a cautionary tale. According to Gulfshore Business, Kingston’s 6,676 acres on Corkscrew Road sparked concerns from residents and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, who called the land “environmentally sensitive.” Estero resident Patty Whitehead warned, “The majority of that land is going to be consumed by the footprint of those 10,000 homes,” noting that buffers were insufficient for wildlife. Corkscrew Grove risks repeating these mistakes, threatening the Florida Wildlife Corridor and local ecosystems in eastern Collier County.
Economic Impact: Small Farmers Left Behind
Alico’s development further marginalizes small citrus farmers already battered by industry neglect. The FDOC and Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) have consistently favored corporate giants, spending $29 million on research in 2024-2025 for solutions like Citrus Under Protective Screens (CUPS), which small farmers can’t afford. Meanwhile, as the Tampa Bay Times reported, grove land is increasingly sold to developers, with over 300,000 acres lost since 2000. Small grower Brantley Schirard Jr., forced to sell 80 acres in Fort Pierce, stated, “Greening’s killing us, and the agencies don’t care.” Alico’s decision to develop rather than support citrus recovery deepens this crisis, paving over the very land that could sustain future generations of farmers.
A Call to Action: Protect Our Heritage
Collier County, you have the power to stop this destructive trend. The RLSA program, established in 2002, was meant to balance development with preservation, not to enable the erasure of our agricultural roots. Alico’s claim of “responsible environmental management” rings hollow when their actions contribute to the decline of an industry that defines Florida. We implore you to reject the Corkscrew Grove Villages application and instead invest in initiatives that revive citrus groves, support small farmers, and protect our environment. Let’s not repeat the mistakes of Kingston, where development trumped conservation. Florida’s citrus groves are more than land—they are our history, our identity, and our future.
Open Letter to the Collier County Planning Commission: Stop Alico’s Destructive Development Plans
The time to act is now.
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