Site Selectors

Desoto is the place for your industry

Whether your clients need a little land to build-to-suit or want a lot of property with room to spread their wings, DeSoto County offers many opportunities. We work closely with Career Source Heartland to help businesses identify their appropriate workforce and create any necessary job training.

With hundreds of acres of industrial land, DeSoto County stands ready to welcome a variety of industries. Agri-business, manufacturing, distribution, and clean energy are ripe for growth here.

Because there are no impact fees, businesses save tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars right from the start.

Property Opportunities

At the intersection of talent and transportation, you’ll find DeSoto County.

In addition to our strategic location, DeSoto County is incredibly business friendly. In a state with zero personal income tax, a corporate tax rate of only 4.458%, and a sales tax rate of only 7.5%, we’re also generous with business tax credits, refunds, and exemptions.

local incentives:

No Impact Fees: We like to think this is even better than an incentive! DeSoto County does not have impact fees, which is an automatic savings for companies developing in our community. No application necessary.

Rural Jobs Tax Credit: For eligible businesses, a $1,000 to $1,500 tax credit for each qualified employee, taken against either the Florida Corporate Income Tax or the Florida Sales and Use Tax.

Click here for the application.

Sales Tax Exemption on Electricity for Manufacturing: Qualifying businesses will be granted either a 50% or a 100% exemption of the sales tax on the charges for electricity or steam used in manufacturing.

Quick Response Training: Administered by CareerSource Florida, this program provides funding to qualifying businesses to train their new full-time employees.

Business Incentive Grant (BIG): The DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners created the Business Incentive Grant (BIG) program to incentivize businesses to locate or expand in DeSoto County and to bring high-wage jobs and/or invest in property and equipment. Each BIG agreement is customized to the business and will be reviewed and approved by the Board.

Click here for the application.

The team in DeSoto County will be your business concierge to help you navigate the entire process, from choosing your ideal location to everything it takes to get your doors open. We are here to see you succeed with the resources needed for your operation.

Education

With high-quality public and private educational options, we’re confident that you’ll find the right educational match for your child(ren).

Teacher Pay

We value our teachers here in DeSoto County. As of the 2024-25 school year, teacher salaries start at $50,000, beating the state average of $47,500. We also offer competitive raises based on experience and tenure with the district to attract and retain top educators.

Awards

At 72.6%, our high school graduation rate has shown improvement compared to pre-pandemic levels (2019 and prior). We are continuing to implement policies and incentives to attract high-quality teachers to our district to help our students succeed.

Grad Rates

At 72.6%, our high school graduation rate has shown improvement compared to pre-pandemic levels (2019 and prior). We are continuing to implement policies and incentives to attract high-quality teachers to our district to help our students succeed.

With high-quality public and private educational options, we’re confident that you’ll find the right educational match for your child(ren).

Transportation

Global reach and competitiveness in the true heartland of Florida: DeSoto County is now opening great opportunities for your business.

Multi-modal logistical assets open easy access to domestic and global markets.

DeSoto County offers swift movement, inbound or outbound, and fast arrival at domestic and global destinations, thanks to Florida’s first-class infrastructure, our own extensive multimodal connections, and our strategic location outside urban congestion zones.

High-Powered Highway Network:
Uncongested 360˚ highway access to all parts of the state on I-75, I-4, I-95, and on the expanded US 17 Corridor. Florida’s investment in our region’s roads puts your business in the lead.

Global Air Connections:

Tampa International Airport – 91 miles
Orlando International Airport – 112 miles
Southwest Florida International Airport, Ft. Myers – 56 miles
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport – 49 miles
Punta Gorda Airport, 25 miles
Arcadia Municipal Airport, FDOT’s 2020 General Aviation Airport of the Year, 2.2 miles

Dual Rail Accessibility:
CSX and Seminole Gulf Railway connect to Florida’s statewide rail network, stretching from Jacksonville to Tampa, Palm Beach to Pensacola.

One-Stop Global and Domestic Shipping through the “Wharf of America,” Florida’s Peninsula-wide Port System:
Fast access to 14 Florida ports, including proximity to two ports dredged and prepared for post-Panamax vessels: 

Port of Manatee – 58 miles (post-Panamax)
Port St. Petersburg – 74 miles
Port of Tampa – 88 miles
Port of Palm Beach – 124 miles
Cape Canaveral Port – 156 miles
Port Everglades – 163 miles
Port of Miami – 176 miles (post-Panamax)

Logistical Support: As Florida readies to compete aggressively for Southeast Asia import/exports, DeSoto puts your company in prime position to benefit.

Punta Gorda - 26 miles

Nearest Airport

Interstates & Highways

I-75 and excellent state road access to I-95 and I-4, US-17, SR 31, SR 70, SR 72

General Aviation Airports

Arcadia Municipal Airport, Punta Gorda Airport

Local Deep Water Ports

Port Manatee (49 miles), Port of Tampa (89 miles)

Utilities

Electric Companies

Florida’s Broadband Initiative: floridajobs.com/broadband

Local Technology Planning Team: Contact [email protected]

Telephone Companies

Century Link

Water

DeSoto County has entered into a Master Water Supply Contract with the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (PRMRWSA) to supply the County with potable water at an allocation which established the County as an ‘exclusive provider customer’ which will guarantee all of our future water needs.

Site Selectors

Desoto is the place for your industry

Whether your clients need a little land to build-to-suit or want a lot of property with room to spread their wings, DeSoto County offers many opportunities. We work closely with Career Source Heartland to help businesses identify their appropriate workforce and create any necessary job training.

With hundreds of acres of industrial land, DeSoto County stands ready to welcome a variety of industries. Agri-business, manufacturing, distribution, and clean energy are ripe for growth here.

Because there are no impact fees, businesses save tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars right from the start.

Property Opportunities

At the intersection of talent and transportation, you’ll find DeSoto County.

In addition to our strategic location, DeSoto County is incredibly business friendly. In a state with zero personal income tax, a corporate tax rate of only 4.458%, and a sales tax rate of only 7.5%, we’re also generous with business tax credits, refunds, and exemptions.

local incentives:

Rural Jobs Tax Credit: For eligible businesses, a $1,000 to $1,500 tax credit for each qualified employee, taken against either the Florida Corporate Income Tax or the Florida Sales and Use Tax.

Click here for the application.

The team in DeSoto County will be your business concierge to help you navigate the entire process, from choosing your ideal location to everything it takes to get your doors open. We are here to see you succeed with the resources needed for your operation.

Education

With high-quality public and private educational options, we’re confident that you’ll find the right educational match for your child(ren).

Teacher Pay

We value our teachers here in DeSoto County. As of the 2024-25 school year, teacher salaries start at $50,000, beating the state average of $47,500. We also offer competitive raises based on experience and tenure with the district to attract and retain top educators.

Awards

At 72.6%, our high school graduation rate has shown improvement compared to pre-pandemic levels (2019 and prior). We are continuing to implement policies and incentives to attract high-quality teachers to our district to help our students succeed.

Grad Rates

At 72.6%, our high school graduation rate has shown improvement compared to pre-pandemic levels (2019 and prior). We are continuing to implement policies and incentives to attract high-quality teachers to our district to help our students succeed.

With high-quality public and private educational options, we’re confident that you’ll find the right educational match for your child(ren).

Transportation

Global reach and competitiveness in the true heartland of Florida: DeSoto County is now opening great opportunities for your business.

Multi-modal logistical assets open easy access to domestic and global markets.

DeSoto County offers swift movement, inbound or outbound, and fast arrival at domestic and global destinations, thanks to Florida’s first-class infrastructure, our own extensive multimodal connections, and our strategic location outside urban congestion zones.

High-Powered Highway Network:Uncongested 360˚ highway access to all parts of the state on I-75, I-4, I-95, and on the expanded US 17 Corridor. Florida’s investment in our region’s roads puts your business in the lead.

Global Air Connections:

Tampa International Airport – 91 miles

Orlando International Airport – 112 miles

Southwest Florida International Airport, Ft. Myers – 56 miles

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport – 49 miles

Punta Gorda Airport, 25 miles

Arcadia Municipal Airport, FDOT’s 2020 General Aviation Airport of the Year, 2.2 miles

Dual Rail Accessibility:CSX and Seminole Gulf Railway connect to Florida’s statewide rail network, stretching from Jacksonville to Tampa, Palm Beach to Pensacola.

One-Stop Global and Domestic Shipping through the “Wharf of America,” Florida’s Peninsula-wide Port System:Fast access to 14 Florida ports, including proximity to two ports dredged and prepared for post-Panamax vessels:

Port of Manatee – 58 miles (post-Panamax)

Port St. Petersburg – 74 miles

Port of Tampa – 88 miles

Port of Palm Beach – 124 miles

Cape Canaveral Port – 156 miles

Port Everglades – 163 miles

Port of Miami – 176 miles (post-Panamax)

Logistical Support: As Florida readies to compete aggressively for Southeast Asia import/exports, DeSoto puts your company in prime position to benefit.

Punta Gorda - 26 miles

Nearest Airport

Interstates & Highways

I-75 and excellent state road access to I-95 and I-4, US-17, SR 31, SR 70, SR 72

General Aviation Airports

Local Deep Water Ports

Utilities

Florida Power & Light (FPL)Peace River Electric Cooperative Inc.

Florida Gas Transmission Co.

Lumen-CenturyLink, Xfinity-Comcast, HughesNet, ViaSat, Earthlink, T-Mobile Home Internet, Rapid Systems, IBT Group .

Florida’s Broadband Initiative: floridajobs.com/broadband

Local Technology Planning Team: Contact [email protected]

Century Link

DeSoto County Water/Wastewater:

(View System Map)

DeSoto County Sewer:

(View Map)

Major Employers

Walmart Distribution Center

Walmart

DeSoto Memorial Hospital

Peace River Citrus Processing

Bethel Farms

Crown Roof Tiles Co, Inc.

Collins Aerospace Systems

SunBulb Company/Better-Gro

Crews Bank & Trust (DeSoto, Wauchula, Port Charlotte, Englewood)

DeSoto County School District

Sandhill Native Growers

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High-Powered Highway Network:
Uncongested 360˚ highway access to all parts of the state on I-75, I-4, I-95, and on the expanded US 17 Corridor. Florida’s investment in our region’s roads puts your business in the lead.

Dual Rail Accessibility:
CSX and Seminole Gulf Railway connect to Florida’s statewide rail network, stretching from Jacksonville to Tampa, Palm Beach to Pensacola.

One-Stop Global and Domestic Shipping through the “Wharf of America,” Florida’s Peninsula-wide Port System:
Fast access to 14 Florida ports, including proximity to two ports dredged and prepared for post-Panamax vessels: 

Florida Power & Light (FPL)
Peace River Electric Cooperative Inc.