Overview
The organization began as a Community Action Group in March 2009 in partnership with the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce with the express purpose of improving the southern entrance to Sumter County, therefore enhancing the visitor experience to the National Cemetery.
The Veteran’s Memorial Highway was designated soon afterwards, and pursuit of a Florida Scenic Highway designation began. A Corridor Advocacy Group (CAG) began meeting with the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) District Five Scenic Highways Coordinator in order to pursue the “Scenic” classification for a series of roads within Sumter County that encompass the communities of Webster, Bushnell, Sumterville, Lake Panasoffkee, Carlson, Rutland and the surrounding areas.
Byway Vision
It is our vision that the synergy developed through strong partnerships, education and resource advocacy creates a nationally recognized byway that showcases the natural, scenic, recreational, and heritage resources of Sumter County, and that community decisions are based in part on these special values.
Byway Accomplishments:
- Received 501(c)(3) July 2014
- Participation in various events along the corridor
- Hosted Statewide Coordinator’s Meeting in Fall 2013
- Adopt-a-Highway Program, Sumter County
- Active Participation in the long range planning for the Florida Coast to Coast Rail Trail planning effort
- Published Byway newsletter
- Hosted first annual Antique Appraisal Fair
