Market Access and Export Capabilities

While it’s true that Sumter County isn’t located directly on the coast, that’s been little impediment when it comes to our international trade. Interstates, rail lines and nearby ports provide an excellent network of transit points for your products, tools and imports. And as a bonus, our inland location is less susceptible to hurricane damage while also being significantly less expensive than a location directly on the Gulf or Atlantic coasts.

A number of export resources from counseling to financing also exist for fulfillment center businesses in the County.

Incentives

In an effort to help attract businesses within the targeted industries of manufacturing, distribution, and agriculture, Sumter County has approved and adopted a set of targeted business incentives for companies locating and/or expanding their operations in the County. Even with Sumter County’s advantages of a low and stable tax rate, low debt ratio and proactive business philosophy, you can still enjoy competitive incentives to help make your decision to locate in Sumter County even easier.

Expedited Permitting

Sumter County has forged unique, innovative partnership agreements with its cities and the State of Florida, and gained broad-gauge, fast-track approval processing on “shovel-ready” development sites.

The county’s site and building permit process can run concurrently in some areas submitted for consideration. Site and building permits an be issued within 21 days due to having the correct entitlements (no legislative hearings- administrative process only) to meet certain land and building requirements.

Industry Incentives

Sumter County represents a fulfillment center/warehouse hub unique in the state, strategically located at the crossroads of I-75, Florida’s Turnpike and CSX Rail’s main freight line, making it an ideal location for fulfillment centers. The county offers a targeted cash incentive for new fulfillment center operations to capitalize on this central location. This incentive is independent of any state grant funds obtained by the business unless otherwise stated in the written agreement between Sumter County and the business.

Incentives for Large Fulfillment Centers (> 800k SF)

Sumter County embraces a diversified economy to offset adverse impacts of market fluctuations and support the domestic production, storage and distribution of goods. Sumter County offers a targeted large fulfillment center/warehouse cash incentive. This incentive is independent of any state grant funds obtained by the business unless otherwise stated in the written agreement between Sumter County and the investor.

Incentive Guidelines:

• The large fulfillment center incentive applies to businesses performing warehousing and storage operations in the county that are in the warehousing and storage industry, as specified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and approved by Sumter County Economic Development as a qualified business.
• A minimum capital construction investment* of $100M, as declared on the building permit application, to real property located within Sumter County, Florida is required.
• The large fulfillment center cash incentive is calculated as follows:
• The total payout amount for investors is up to 2% of the company’s building capital investment, not to exceed a maximum of $1,000,000 per year, for a combined total of $3,000,000 over three years**.
• Payout amounts for the large fulfillment center incentive are paid by the county in three equal payments as follows:
1. The first payment is processed on the opening day of the facility in the amount of one third (1/3) of the incentive, provided company received a certificate of occupancy.
2. The second payment is processed one year after the first payment is made in the amount of one third (1/3) of the incentive.
3. The third payment is processed one year after the second payment is made in the amount of one third (1/3) of the incentive.
• The large fulfilment center incentive is limited to three (3) years and the business must reapply each year.
• Proof of investment is required before an incentive payment is made to the business in the form of a copy of the Building Permit Application noting the original Declared Value as submitted to Sumter County.
• First incentive payment is processed once the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Incentives for Small Fulfillment Centers (=/> 100k SF)

Sumter County embraces a diversified economy to offset adverse impacts of market fluctuations and support the domestic production, storage and distribution of goods. Sumter County offers a targeted small fulfillment center/warehouse cash incentive. This incentive is independent of any state grant funds obtained by the business unless otherwise stated in the written agreement between Sumter County and the investor.

Incentive Guidelines:

• The small center incentive applies to businesses performing warehousing and storage operations in the county that are in warehousing and storage industry, as specified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and approved by Sumter County Economic Development as a qualified business.
• A minimum capital construction investment* of $10M, as declared on the building permit application, to real property located within Sumter County, Florida is required.
• The small fulfillment center cash incentive is calculated as follows:
• The total payout amount for investors is up to 2% of the company’s building capital investment, not to exceed a maximum of $500,000 per year, for a combined total of $1,500,000 over three years**.
• Payout amounts for the small fulfillment center incentive are paid by the county in three equal payments as follows:
  1. The first payment is processed on the opening day of the facility in the amount of one third (1/3) of the incentive, provided company received a certificate of occupancy.
  2. The second payment is processed one year after the first payment is made in the amount of one third (1/3) of the incentive.
  3. The third payment is processed one year after the second payment is made in the amount of one third (1/3) of the incentive.
• The small fulfilment center incentive is limited to three (3) years and the business must reapply each year.
• Proof of investment is required before an incentive payment is made to the business in the form of a copy of the Building Permit Application noting the original Declared Value as submitted to Sumter County.
• First incentive payment is processed once the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

* Capital investment does not include the cost of land.

* The county’s obligation to provide incentive funding is limited based upon the availability, appropriation, and approval of funds in the county’s budget and subject to the terms of the incentive agreement.

Business Data

Transportation

Highways: I-75; Florida Turnpike; US Hwy 301; SR 44, SR 48, SR 50
Airports: Orlando Intl. (1 hr.), Tampa Intl. (1 hr.) and Leeburg Regional Airport (20 mins.)
Seaports: Deepwater Ports of Tampa (1 hr), Manatee (1.5 hrs.), Jacksonville (2.5 hrs.), Canaveral (2 hrs.) and Miami (4 hrs.)
Rail Service: Industrial rail service by CSX Transportation’s main Eastern Seaboard freight line (S-Line)

Education

● School System “A Rated” for five consecutive years by State Board of Education
● Lake Sumter State College partners with Sumter County Schools and UCF to offer Bachelor’s degrees, vocational certificates and technology diplomas
● Regional campuses of UCF located nearby in Leesburg and Clermont
● USF and UF, both top national research institutions, are an hour away in Tampa and Gainesville respectively

Sumter Strengths

Incentives

An aggressive local incentive package for targeted industries that includes incentives for manufacturing, data centers, fulfillment centers, and agricultural businesses.

Location, Location, Location

Sumter County is a major, regional transportation hub for Central Florida at the crossroads of Interstate 75, Florida’s Turnpike and CSX’s main freight line, with access to major airports and seaports less than 90 minutes away.

Pro-Business Philosophy

Pro-business county leadership and economic development team with a personal commitment and passion for supporting local businesses.

A Commitment to Business

An Industrial Development Authority whose sole mission is to facilitate business growth and expedite the processing of bonds.