Clewiston Shaken By Land Deal

Small towns often call their busiest thoroughfare main street.. In Clewiston it's sugarland highway. From Sugar Realty to Cane Field Stadium.. Stops along the way pay homage to the area's top crop. Now everyone from city leaders to business owners and life long residents wonder whether the sweet life is over.

"I'm very concerned because there's nothing else here. That's basically all we have is U-S sugar and everyone relies on that." said life-long resident Rea Walker

"We're trying to be optimistic. We hope maybe it'll bring a new industry into town." said Yasir Khan, owner of the Clewiston Inn.

Mali Chamness is mayor of Clewiston. She says the deal makers left her office out of the loop.

"I was completely surprised and not sure what to do, but I asked a lot of questions. So.. That's what we've been doing.. Asking a lot of questions." said Chamness

Miller Couse is chairman and CEO of the First Bank of Clewiston. He says every business will feel the impact. The people who get their pay check from U-S sugar spend it primarily on local merchants.

"We've been insulated somewhat from the housing impact. It's been Fort Myers, West Palm and Miami. Now we have our own crisis." said Couse.

According to the mayor, the city of Clewiston has been taking steps over the last few years to diversify its economy. Now she's trying to reassure citizens that their hard work will pay off.