Since 1957, the Sumter Development Board with support from the County and City of Sumter, has been the lead organization for job development and growth in the Sumter Community. Originally founded by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly, the Sumter Development Board has taken on many forms and challenges throughout the years. The Development Board began operating independently in the mid-1990s as the lead economic development organization in the Sumter Community. The Development Board's mission is to increase per capita income by creating jobs and luring capital investment to our community. Today, Sumter Economic Development’s team is flourishing with Partners such as the Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative (SSGI) and TheLINK Alliance, assisting in efforts to bolster industrial recruitment and expansion, new job creation, and community progress.