Leesburg is the hub of activity in
Lake County Florida. Leesburg attracts both retirees and the
urban refugees escaping the hectic pace of the big Florida cities.
The economy, once solely based upon agriculture, has become more
diverse, anchored by a first-class airport, and numerous industrial
parks. The main shopping venue is the Lake Square Mall, featuring 80
specialty stores and a dozen movie theatres.
Leesburg is located between two of
Lake County's largest bodies of water, Lake Griffin and Lake Harris.
Boating and fishing are the two of the most popular pastimes for
Leesburg residents.
The city has made a commitment to
providing ample acreage for recreational activities. The Susan
Street complex has four little league fields and a press box,
racquetball and lighted tennis courts, a regulation football/soccer
field, concession stands and picnic area. Venetian Gardens is an
80-acre preserve off Dixie Avenue, complete with baseball fields,
tennis and shuffleboard, a swimming pool, marina with boat ramps and
a public beach.
Leesburg's major events include the
Mardi Gras in February, the Fine Arts Festival in March and the
three day Bikefest in April, drawing 100,000 bikers from across the
country. The holidays are active with the Lights of Lake
Christmas Stroll downtown, complete with caroling and decorated
antique shops, followed by the Venetian Gardens Light-Up Ceremony.
The recently completed Sleepy Hollow
Sports Complex includes two soccer/football fields, two youth
girl's softball fields, and a concession stand. The City hopes to
eventually be able to construct nature walk-ways through the wetland
area to add a passive recreation component to the complex.
Major employers include Leesburg
Regional Medical Center, Embarq, Cutrale Citrus Inc., Romac Lumber
and Dura-Stress. Companies such as Convenant Coach, which
produces recreational vehicle parts, Horizon Manufacturing, and
Center State Bank recently established facilities here. The
Leesburg Regional Airport has a 5,000 foot runway to accommodate
general aviation aircraft and offers flight instruction, hanger
space, FBO facilities and U.S. Customs office.
