Transportation Infrastructure

Strategically located at the apex of the Central-Florida economic triangle, at the confluence of I-75, the Florida Turnpike and CSX Rail’s main, eastern-seaboard freight line, Sumter County represents a distribution hub unique in the state.

The county’s unique combination of transportation arteries and multimodal systems makes Sumter an ideal distribution hub for businesses considering regional, national, or international product distribution.

Roads

Major transportation arteries include Interstate 75, the Florida Turnpike, US Highway 301, and State Roads 44, 48, 50, 470 and 471. Add our proximity to no fewer than 3 deep-water seaports and 3 international airports, and you’ve hit the transportation trifecta of land, sea and air.

Rail

CSX rail is an integral element of the Sumter County transportation hub. CSX rail runs the entire north-south length of the county, providing Sumter businesses major distribution advantages.

The planned expansion of rail freight is a prime benefit to future business development. When the widened Panama Canal opens, the flow of Asian goods to the U.S. East Coast and Midwest will increase dramatically. CSX is gearing up to handle the impact with rail routes re-structured to handle heavier loads from Atlantic ports.

CSX currently rolls 15 to 25 trains per day through Sumter County, each pulling up to 90 freight cars, serving 23 states over their 21,000 mile rail network. In Florida alone, CSX operates 1,650 miles of railroad, moving 929,500 carloads of freight in 2009, employing 4,500 Floridians.

Airports and Seaports

Sumter County is located approximately one hour from both the Tampa and Orlando International Airports. Sumter is also served by a regional airport, capable of international jet traffic (with a US Customs office on site), at Leesburg Regional Airport. Sumter County is perfectly positioned to access the ports of Tampa, Manatee, Jacksonville, and Canaveral. This proximity and access make Sumter County a prime candidate for an inland seaport and the many commercial benefits that come with that designation.