Desoto County asks for community feedback for community growth

ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK)—The Central Regional Planning Council is working with DeSoto commissioners to adapt the county's comprehensive plan.

The changes being made will influence how the county plans to use the land and grow the economy over the next 20-30 years. The county is asking residents what they want DeSoto County to look like in 2050.

The comprehensive plan is rooted in community feedback. Residents can share how they want to see the land used, infrastructure changed, and if someone in the community sees a real issue, the feedback helps the county address it.

The Central Florida Regional Planning Council is a government agency that works with DeSoto County to set goals for the future. The two held a presentation on the plan and shared findings such as how excessive rainfall impacts critical areas like roadways, hospitals and wastewater treatment facilities.

Anyone attending the meeting could write down their thoughts and give it to tables around the room. The main topics were the rainfall study, future land use, where the community wants to see changes or opportunities, and the economy of DeSoto County.

Neighbors in downtown Arcadia said they want to see the county grow and continue to expand. But one business owner says she wants the growth to be manageable.

Laura Partridge owns a thrift shop in downtown Arcadia. She said she moved to DeSoto County from Venice because the growth there was too much too fast.

"My main focus is just slow growth. Just slow and purposeful and just to make sure the infrastructure is able to support it. Keep the pasture land, keep the farmland. Keep what makes DeSoto County great," Partridge said.

Partridge said she would like people on the outskirts to have their five acres at least, restore historic homes, and keep the charm of the small towns. 

The county's potential AI data center will not be formally discussed at the meeting. But Jay Ambler said he'd like it to become part of the comprehensive plan to create jobs so the economy can grow and benefit.

Data center could be coming to DeSoto County

ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK) — Plans for an artificial intelligence data center outside Arcadia have sparked debate in a rural corner of Southwest Florida. 

"This is a great place. A lot of rural, rural environment here. A lot of really good, good residents with strong work ethics. We just don't have the economic, economic stimulus we probably need to continue on to 2050 or into the future," Ambler said.

Ambler said the county desperately needs jobs.

There will be a table for the county's comprehensive plan at Pioneer Day next week. A link to an online survey can be found here.