E-News Issue- October 2017

Gator World is the newest agritourism attraction in Sumter County. The park is a 15-acre drive-through attraction where you can see alligators in their natural Florida habitat. The park also has a petting zoo with goats, sheep, and bunnies.

Learn More

farm city day
TO be held
november 11

Farm City is an event to celebrate the history of agriculture as well as an opportunity to educate the community. Farm City Day will take place November 11 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Brownwood Paddock Square®, The Villages community®.

Construction growth took a strong upturn in Sumter County

Sumter County Development Services issued 1,527 residential building permits with a value of about $428 million, and over 700,000 SF of commercial space last FY (2016-2017), compared to the previous year.

Lake sumter state college offering new program in the spring

LSSC will offer Industrial Management Technology in the spring 2018 semester. Students will be able to transfer credits gained at a technical school.

Featured Business
Black Gold Compost

Black Gold Compost is located in Oxford and has been making products since 1969. Black Gold Compost produces quality soil products for home gardeners and professional landscapers. Their premiere products include Black Kow® Mature Manure, Mushroom Compost, Black Velvet Planting Soil, Black Hen, Black Kow® Topsoil and Cow Peat. Their signature product, Black Kow® Manure, is the all-natural organic way to improve native soils. The "Mature Manure” Black Kow® has 10 times more nutrients than typical garden soil, and 4 to 6 times more cow manure than other brands.

Upcoming Events

New SBDC Seminar: Financing Your Business and Helping Your Business Succeed

The Villages Sumter County Service Center
7375 Powell Road, Wildwood
October 30 | 5-7:00 p.m.

In this no-cost seminar, you will receive the expertise, resources, and tools to help your business grow and succeed. This seminar will teach you the basic elements and steps needed to wisely and efficiently manage your business finances.

SCORE Event: Increase Your Website Traffic

Ocala, Florida
Wednesday, November 8
12:30-3:30 p.m.

Get customers to your business website!
Learn how to drive targeted, organic traffic to your website using simple SEO (Search Engine Optimization) techniques.

Sumter Chamber Lunch

Eisenhower Recreation Center
The Villages, Florida

December 13, 12-1 p.m.

Mark your calendar for the next Chamber lunch. Bradley Arnold, Sumter County Administrator, will be presenting a state of the county update.

Great Resources

farm city day TO be held november 11