Population
	Sumter County	% Yearly Increase
2006	82,599	12%
2007	89,771	9%
2008	93,024	3.62%

From Bureau of Economic and Business Research

Winter Population
Permanent & Seasonal Population Projections *
	2005	2010	2015	2020
Permanent	56,600	64,200	71,800	79,475
Seasonal	17,661	21,613	25,564	29,448

* Currently Adopted Population Projections from Sumter County Comprehensive Plan

Labor Force (March, 2009)
	Sumter County
Labor Force	33,127
Labor Force Employed	30,382
Labor Force Unemployed	2745
Unemployment Rate	8.3%

Major Private Sector Employers
	Business Line	Employees
Coleman Federal Prison	Federal Corrections	1,004
Sumter District Schools	Public Education	815
The Villages	Housing Construction	700
Sumter Correctional Institute	Corrections	500
T&D Concrete	Concrete	460
Sumter County Government	Government	437
Villages Regional Medical Center	Healthcare	367
Lake Sumter Community College	Education	365
Wal-Mart Superstore	Retail	340
Sumter Electric Cooperative	Energy	300

Employment by Industry (2007)
	Sumter County	Florida
Natural Resources & Mining	2.1%	1.2%
Construction	24.8%	7.5%
Manufacturing	6.7%	4.9%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities	17.1%	20.9%
Information	0.2%	2.0%
Financial Activities	3.2%	6.8%
Professional & Business Services	2.1%	16.6%
Education & Health Services	9.6%	18.9%
Leisure & Hospitality	8.0%	11.8%
Other Services	1.6%	3.2%
Public administration	10.4%	5.9%
Unclassified	0.0%	0.1%
Average Annual Employment	20,245	7,945,162

Transportation in Sumter County
Road and Rail
Federal Interstates	I-75
Federal Highways	US-301
State Highways	SR-44, SR-50, SR-471, Florida Turnpike
Railroads	CSX Transportation
Airports
Nearest Airport with Scheduled Commercial Airline Service	Orlando International Airport
# Runways	3
Longest Paved Runway	12,005 ft.
General Aviation Airports	Leesburg Regional, Ocala Municipal
Water Ports
Local Deep Water Port	Tampa Port Authority
Miles to Closest Port	53

Sumter for Business

Launching and running a business in Sumter County has undeniable advantages. In addition to an idyllic lifestyle and pristine natural beauty, Sumter County offers abundant land, a ready workforce and these advantages:

Transportation

Sumter Countys transportation network is the road to success. Situated in the geographic center of Florida, Sumter County is referred to as the Crossroads of Central Florida. It is served by a wide variety of transportation routes, including I-75, the Florida Turnpike, US Hwy 301, and State Road 44. A major rail trunk also serves Sumter County, with additional rail enhancements expected in the near future as a result of the state's high-speed rail initiative.

This interconnected transport system means a seamless ride for people and products by air, sea, road and rail. No Sumter County business is more than 90 miles from a deepwater port or more than a 90-minute drive from a major commercial airport. More than 60% of the continental U.S. can be reached via overnight freight from any Sumter County location.

Sumter County Transit
Sumter County Transit provides residents with access to safe, professional, efficient, and cost-effective transportation services through Sumter County. For additional information or to arrange transportation to a particular destination, call (352) 568-6683 or visit Sumter County Transit's website.

Need a Ride to Work? Inquire about the Work Related Assistance Program (WRAP) designed to assist residents with a no cost transportation service for low income individuals to and from their place of employment. Transportation services, to and from childcare facilities, as part of their work trip anywhere within Sumter County are also included. Please visit the WRAP Site for additional information.

The Lake-Sumter MPO was established on Feb. 25, 2004, after the 2000 Census determined the Leesburg-Eustis Urbanized Area and the Lady Lake Urbanized Area each had exceeded a population of 50,000. The purpose of the MPO is to provide a forum for a coordinated, comprehensive and continual transportation planning process. This process is critical in providing a safe, effective and cost efficient transportation system. The Lake-Sumter MPO is responsible for the planning of several modes of transportation including highway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian and paratransit.

Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) provides a forum for cooperative planning and decision making concerning transportation issues throughout the urbanized area of Lake and Sumter counties in Florida. As the lead agency for regional transportation planning, the MPO is responsible for the planning of several modes of transportation.

Workforce

Sumter County's fully integrated workforce system ensures that most businesses will find a large pool of skilled and qualified workers available to fulfill most of their workplace needs. An estimated labor force of over 200,000 people resides within a 30-minute commute radius of Wildwood. This includes workers in nearby counties who have easy access to Sumter County jobs via the area's extensive highway network.

Education

Floridas education system makes workforce readiness the top priority at every level. Lake-Sumter Community College and other training institutions are within a half-hour drive; urban amenities and coastal pleasures are never far away; and an excellent transportation network provides easy access.

Affordable Housing

The Sumter County Housing Department offers many options and resources for existing home owners and would-be homeowners dreaming of owning their own home. For up-to-date information on program availability, please call 352-793-0272 or visit the Sumter County Housing Department's website.

Medical Resources

Our medical community offers several excellent medical resources conveniently located throughout Sumter County. The following medical facilities are included among these:

• Thomas E. Langley Medical Center, located in Sumterville - the center offers a full service medical clinic providing Dental Care, Primary Care, Diagnostic Imagining, Pediatrics and Urgent Care Walk-In Service.
• The Sumter County Health Department has two locations, one in Wildwood and one in Bushnell to better serve your needs.
• Central Florida Health Alliance operates The Villages Regional Medical Center, a 198 bed, state of the art in-patient hospital located in The Villages. The facility consists of state-of-the-art surgical suites, a radiology department featuring filmless computer imaging, pharmacy, clinical laboratory and a full service emergency department along with the patient care units. The Villages Regional Hospital is home to one of the worlds first Philips Ambient Experience Catheter Labs designed to improve the experience during heart catheter procedures.
• Several other facilities and physicians are located within 30 miles of Sumter County including nearby facilities in Leesburg and Citrus County.
• You'll also find private practice physicians with specialties of all types throughout Sumter County.
• Cornerstone Hospice provides End of Life" Care to residents of Sumter County at two locations - one in The Villages and one in Sumterville.

Global Trade

The right combination of location and workforce diversity makes Florida a leader in international trade.

Infrastructure

Floridas balanced approach meets todays energy demands with an eye on tomorrows needs. Broadband networks reach almost every corner of Florida.

Competitive Business Climate

Sumter County is business friendly; we combine low taxes with a spirit of collaboration and can-do spirit that promote business growth.

Quality of Life

The worlds No. 1 travel destination is a great place to live, too. Sumter County residents enjoy a friendly hometown atmosphere with a historic flavor. This rapidly growing community remains committed to planned growth through development that offers a balance between a relaxed lifestyle and the more metropolitan attractions located within an easy drive in the nearby cities of Tampa and Orlando.

Rural Advantages

Rural cities like those in Sumter County are ready for business. Rural-based businesses may be eligible for incentives, tax credits and worker training programs. Wildwood, Bushnell, Coleman, and Webster all qualify for rural status.

Credits, Refunds, Incentives

Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund
Over a minimum of four years, pays at least $6,000 per job created in an Enterprise Zone or rural county.

Rural Job Tax Credit
A tax credit against sales and use or corporate income tax may be taken by eligible businesses for the creation of new jobs at a rate of $1,000 per job created.

Rural Infrastructure Fund
Grants made to local government on behalf of a business may fund up to 30% of the costs for public infrastructure upgrades.

Rural Community Development Revolving Loans
A loan or loan guaranty available for a specific project that will lead to new jobs and increase the economic vitality and diversification of Floridas rural counties.

Relocating to Wildwood
The City of Wildwood may offer special incentives for business/industry choosing to make this city their home. For additional information related to incentives, please contact the Sr. Projects Manager at 352-330-1330 ext. 112

Starting or Expanding Your Business in Florida?

Online Permitting Web Site
The Sumter County Planning & Development Department has a website that will allow you to search Parcels, Permits, Contractors, and Projects. You can also use their Online Permitting tool.

State of FL Business Links
From general topics to record keeping, taxes, and licenses.

Florida Division of Corporations Sunbiz
From here you can search and access filed information for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, trademarks, fictitious name registrations and liens. Images of most filed documents can be downloaded at no charge and to make the filing process easier, most filing forms can also be downloaded.