Sumter County is located in the heart of South Carolina, with the City of Sumter just 44 miles east of the state capital, Columbia. Sumter is encircled by a modern highway system, including interstates 95, 20, 77 and 26. Sumter enjoys easy access to these interstates via four-lane U.S. Highways.  Once a sleepy agricultural town, Sumter has become a burgeoning industrial center.  With five industrial parks housing about 65 manufacturing facilities and employing about 8,200, the county is a perfect place for both manufacturing and retail expansion. Shaw Air Force Base is also located here, home to the 20th Fighter Wing, Headquarters Ninth Air Force/United States Central Command Air Forces, and several associate units.