Florida Buys U.S. Sugar Corp To Preserve Everglades

The State of Florida purchased U.S. Sugar Corporation for $1.75 billion and will turn its 187,000 acres (292 square miles) of farmland south of Lake Okeechobee into reservoirs in an effort to preserve the 1.5 million acre Everglades. There will be a six year transition period for its 1,700 employees to find new employment. USSC produces 700,000 tone of can sugar annually. (The Washington Post 6/15/08)