Citrus County Economic Development

04/08/2026

Up 1 spot from 2025, Inverness ranked #2 Best Small Town in the South!!! Another BIG win for Citrus County!

𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙉𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙 #2 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙮 𝙐𝙎𝘼 𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮

Inverness, Florida has been officially named the #2 Best Small Town in the South by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, climbing up from last year’s #3 ranking!

After a four-week voting process, Inverness has once again stood out among nearly 20 other charming Southern towns, earning recognition for its community and unmistakable small-town charm. The strong turnout in public voting reflects just how much people believe in and support this city.

Known as Florida’s “Small Town Done Right,” Inverness features a lively downtown centered around its historic Courthouse Square, where live music, festivals, and community events bring people together year-round. From the scenic Withlacoochee State Trail to our beautiful parks, the city offers a perfect balance of Southern charm and welcoming, small-town appeal.

From independently owned restaurants and shops to cultural landmarks like the Valerie Theatre, these local favorites contribute to the distinctive charm and authenticity that define the Inverness experience.

Nominees for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards are submitted by a panel of experts, with the final list selected by 10Best editors and opened to public voting. The list featured towns under 25,000 residents were evaluated for their unique charm, history, natural beauty, and more. Among them, Inverness continues to proudly maintain its reputation as a “Small Town Done Right,” while looking ahead to an even brighter future.

To learn more about Inverness, visit inverness.gov or follow us on social media.

View the full list of rankings here: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-small-town-in-the-south/

01/12/2026

One week left to get your application submitted!

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is seeking applicants for the new Citrus County Industrial Development Authority (CCIDA).
The initial Authority members will be appointed from the pool of applicants by the Board via resolution in late January.
Applicants must be residents of Citrus County who are registered voters in Citrus County.
To apply, go to: http://www.citrusbocc.com/boardapplication
Questions? Contact Citrus County Economic Development Director Steven Baham: [email protected]

12/30/2025

REMINDER: Applications are still open through January 19, 2026.

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is seeking applicants for the new Citrus County Industrial Development Authority (CCIDA).
The initial Authority members will be appointed from the pool of applicants by the Board via resolution in late January.
Applicants must be residents of Citrus County who are registered voters in Citrus County.
To apply, go to: http://www.citrusbocc.com/boardapplication
Questions? Contact Citrus County Economic Development Director Steven Baham: [email protected]

11/14/2025

Kicking off our new Heliplex at the Inverness Airport! Looking forward to many years of continued success with Livewire Aviation!

04/10/2025

Inverness ranked #3 Best Small Town in the South!!! Another BIG win for Citrus County!

𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙉𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙 #3 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙮 𝙐𝙎𝘼 𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮

Inverness has been officially named the #3 Best Small Town in the South by USA Today’s 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. After a four-week voting process, Inverness stood out among nearly 20 other charming Southern towns, earning recognition for its vibrant community and small-town charm. A dramatic rise in support from residents and fans, with daily votes and a wave of social media shares, helped propel the city to the #3 spot, reflecting the unwavering local pride.

Known as Florida’s “Small Town Done Right,” Inverness boasts a lively downtown centered around its historic Courthouse Square, where live music, festivals, and events regularly bring people together. From the scenic Withlacoochee State Trail to our beautiful parks, the city blends Southern charm with outdoor adventure. Visitors and locals alike enjoy a variety of local restaurants, cozy boutiques, welcoming pubs, and cultural gems like the beautifully restored Valerie Theatre.

Nominees for the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards are submitted by a panel of experts, with the final list selected by 10Best editors and opened to public voting. Towns under 25,000 residents were evaluated for their unique appeal, history, natural beauty, and culinary scenes — and Inverness stood out.

Inverness is honored to receive this recognition, a true testament to what makes us a “Small Town Done Right.”

To learn more about Inverness, visit inverness.gov or follow us on social media.
View the full list of rankings here: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-small-town-in-the-south/

03/06/2025

Crystal River selected as the most charming small town in Florida! The secret is out!!

https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/travel/50-of-the-most-charming-small-towns-in-america-pictures

11/04/2021

The MultiGP Drone Racing Championship came through Lecanto this week. Dozens of racers competed for fastest time for these roughly five-inch quad copters.
MultiGP is the “largest professional drone racing league in the world,” per its website. More than 14,000 members compete across the globe.

10/28/2021

Connected to talent, connected to opportunities. We have just launched our Citrus Connect Sites page that highlights key sites for economic development. Over time, this page will evolve and grow with more featured locations. More interactivity and dynamic content will be coming soon.

Citrus Connect Sites Program Catalyst for growth. All across Citrus County, dynamic expansion opportunities are emerging, in the Suncoast Parkway extension and other exciting development projects. And now we offer an effective new option to help business and industry leverage these opportunities wit...

10/18/2021

With ongoing supply issues impacting auto dealerships, repairs and parts salvage is increasingly popular. With 140,000 parts and counting, LKQ in Crystal River has everything from the most in-demand to hard to find part.
Each technician will disassemble at least 5 vehicles a day, providing a deep inventory.

07/28/2021

From CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion:
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion stands ready to help D.A.B Constructors’ workers who lost their jobs on Monday. Our career center staff can help with fee-free services such as Reemployment Assistance forms, job referrals, job placements, resume assistance and much more.
Please visit our career centers in Lecanto, Chiefland or Ocala or call our staff at 800-434-5627 to get started. Many companies need workers and are hiring right now. CareerSource CLM is here to help you and your family find stable employment opportunities.

Visit us: careersourceclm.com