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Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Element <br />southern U.S. in general, Indian River County has lower labor costs than other major urbanized areas <br />in the country. Therefore, labor costs in Indian River County is an advantage regarding economic <br />development. <br />Income <br />Generally, the county's high income levels do not reflect the actual economic conditions of all <br />residents in Indian River County. Though the county's per capita income is high, some areas within <br />the county have a low per capita income and a high percentage of persons below the poverty level. <br />Going forward, the County's policies should be to recruit industries that pay wages near or above the <br />Countywide average wage rate. <br />Economic Development Trends <br />Citrus Industry <br />Although citrus canker and citrus greening are affecting groves in the county, it is estimated that the <br />citrus industry will remain profitable in the future, although infected trees will have to be removed <br />and replaced on a reoccurring basis until cures can be found for the two diseases. As the two <br />diseases spread and as infected trees are removed, production will decline. This will also result in a <br />reduction of citrus jobs and less money coming into the county. This will also have an impact on <br />other businesses within the County, in that less money will be spent on goods and services in the <br />County by the citrus industry and citrus industry employees. <br />In the future, citrus grove owners will continue to face pressure for developing their land with <br />alternative uses and permanently removing the land from agricultural production. With the decline <br />in the citrus industry, farmers will need to evaluate the land dedicated to citrus and consider other <br />allowed uses for citrus property and how those alternatives will impact the County. This might <br />include growing new types of crops or developing solar farms. <br />Going forward, the County's policies should support the production of farm products that can be <br />exported from the County. This may include growing feedstocks for bio -fuel production and <br />establishing bio -fuel processing plants. <br />Land Availability/Suitability <br />Overall, the County has attractive qualities that certain businesses look for. Among those qualities is <br />the availability of a supply of development ready land. <br />As structured, the county's Comprehensive Plan allocates sufficient land for residential, commercial, <br />Community Development Department Indian River County 37 <br />