Levy County, Florida

Levy County is a coastal area located in North Central Florida. Created in 1845, the County was named for David Levy, who served numerous terms as a member of the United States Senate between 845 and 1861. Levy also constructed the first railroad in Florida linking the ports of Cedar Key, on the Gulf coast to Fernandina on the Atlantic Ocean. The historic Suwannee River borders the county's north end, while the meandering Withlacoochee River forms the southern border. Thanks to its unique location, Levy County has the distinction of a wide variety of environments, from dense hardwood forests and marshlands to sandhills and Gulf Coast waters. The county has a total area of 1,412 square miles, 294 square miles of which are water.

Progress Energy has recently announced their intention to construct a nuclear power generation facility in Levy County,capable of producing 2,200 megawatts of electricity. The $14 billion plant represents the first new nuclear power plant to be constructed in the U.S. in over 25 years. The plant is expected to begin commercial operation sometime in 2016 or 2017. The project will provide a major positive impact to the community.

In February 2007, Governor Christ designated parts of Levy County as an Enterprise Zone. This Zone provides special tax incentives and breaks for businesses that are located inside the Zone boundaries. There are a limited number of Enterprise Zones throughout the State of Florida and Levy County is excited to be able to offer this additional business incentive.

Its scenic beauty, wildlife and outdoor recreational opportunities make Levy County a desirable location to live and work. With nearly one-fifth of the county set aside for state and national wildlife areas, Levy is blessed with numerous parks, preserves, springs and wildlife refuges to enjoy. Levy County's numerous springs are one of its most popular destinations for both serious scuba divers and those who just want to swim or snorkel in the crystal clear waters. Although Levy County offers a rural, slower pace of life, communities within the County are constantly growing. The current population of Levy County is estimated to be aproximately 40,000.