As Sussex grows, so does Georgetown

Chamber updates members on development

By Glenn Rolfe
Posted 12/18/21

GEORGETOWN — The governmental and geographic heart of Sussex County is experiencing a growth spurt, both residentially and commercially.

And the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, with proactive leadership and current membership of about 350, figures to be a significant player in that development.

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As Sussex grows, so does Georgetown

Chamber updates members on development

Posted

GEORGETOWN — The governmental and geographic heart of Sussex County is experiencing a growth spurt, both residentially and commercially.

And the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, with proactive leadership and current membership of about 350, figures to be a significant player in that development.

“This last two years, we’ve had to do a lot of pivoting. We had to do a lot of thinking outside the box,” said Linda Price, who doubles as the chamber’s president and executive director. “We’re hoping that 2022 will bring us back.”

The town’s mayor, Bill West, agreed.

“This chamber is very network-related,” he said during its board of directors’ installation breakfast Wednesday at JD Shuckers. “They’ve really increased the membership, and things are starting to look back to the way they used to be, with a lot of members. So reach out to your co-partners in business and all. If we grow with the chamber, we’re going to grow with things in Georgetown.”

Mayor West delivered the oath of office for the incoming board, which includes first vice president/incoming president Scott Anthony, second vice president Chris Goldsmith, secretary Mary Susan Jones and treasurer Sarah Dill.

Serving as board members are Judy Dean, Sarah Gilmour, Mary Ann Smarte, Veronica Nunez, Paco Hernandez, Kay Young, Ben Kunde, Jennifer Antonelli, Howard Fortunato, Brian O’Sullivan and Kurt Herring.

“Your friendly smiles will go a long way with bringing more businesses to the Georgetown area,” said Mayor West.

Ms. Price is looking forward to working with the new board in the new year.

“We have a pretty large board. So we are going to hit the ground running in January,” she said. “I am so thankful for the board that we have. They are very proactive, very interactive. I couldn’t do the job that I do without all of them.”

Ms. Price, who will continue in her role as executive director, will serve as chamber president through June 30. Then, Mr. Anthony will take those reins.

She reflected on how uncertainty during COVID-19 put the chamber in response mode.

“We had some major hurdles, which we had to cross, which we did very well,” Ms. Price said. “We knew that we were here to represent our businesses, and we needed to do that and make sure that they all knew that we are here for them. We did that in a variety of different ways. We took to social media in helping to get advertising out because we wanted to defray the cost of small advertising for them. We reduced price of membership, if you joined early. We were very cognizant of operating.”

During the pandemic, the chamber has stepped out of the box, staging the 2020 Christmas parade and the 2021 Easter egg hunt in “reverse” mode.

Fortunately, the chamber was able to host a traditional Christmas parade this year, on Dec. 4. It was labeled a smashing success, with 95-plus entries and what organizers believe was one of the largest turnouts for spectators in its history.

Equally successful was the chamber’s signature event, Wings & Wheels, staged in early October. It was the entity’s first major public event with restrictions lifted since the pandemic began.

“We had no idea what to expect. We had great weather. It far exceeded our expectations. We saw close (to) 10,000 people that day,” said Ms. Price.

The only major issue for the event was parking, traditionally a challenge at the county-owned Delaware Coastal Airport. But Ms. Price said county officials have pledged that they will make parking work for future Wings & Wheels.

In the networking circle, chamber breakfasts with speakers are back on the schedule. Economic development lunches, also with featured guests, will start in February.

State of Georgetown

During Wednesday’s breakfast, Mayor West offered an unofficial address on the state of Georgetown, focusing on growth and development.

“Our town is about 7,200 people. I want to get it up to about 10,000. That seems to be the marking area for businesses, big-box stores and restaurants to come. If you are at the 10,000 mark, you can support their business,” he said.

He noted the apartments and town houses going in behind Walmart and a potential development at the end of Ennis Road. “We can get there. We’re close,” Mayor West said.

Businesses arriving soon include Wawa on U.S. 113, with construction slated for early in 2022. “And Dairy Queen is coming. I’m happy. It’s coming, down by Kentucky Fried Chicken. That’s going to be a great asset,” he added.

Two major projects will be changing Georgetown’s landscape: the Delaware Department of Transportation’s overpass at U.S. 113 and Del. 404/Del. 18 and the new Sussex County Family Court downtown. Also, there’s the two-phased Park Avenue realignment.

The mayor said the site for the Family Court, along East Market and Race streets, won out over an initial suggestion in the Milford area.

“When you are an attorney, you move from one court to the next all day long. You go from the Court of Common Pleas to Superior Court to Family Court,” Mayor West said. “The same ones that are going to Family Court are also going to Court of Common Pleas. That is why we looked at that location and decided that would be best for the town.”

Several businesses are being displaced by the overpass project, but most will have new locations in Georgetown.

Town manager Eugene Dvornick said DelDOT’s Georgetown East Gateway Improvements project, started in summer 2020, is anticipated for completion in the spring.

It will provide a unique opportunity for the town, as it connects with existing trails, which means “you can ride a bicycle 16 miles, come to Georgetown for lunch and then ride back home,” he said.

Also, once the town completes upgrades to some 62 water lines, repaving of Market and Bedford streets is in DelDOT’s plans.

Ms. Price thanked the town for its partnership with the chamber. “This is a great community. There are a lot of really positive things that are happening in Georgetown,” she said.

Mr. Dvornick said links on the town’s website offer businesses and residents information about town happenings.

“Georgetown is a great place. It’s wonderful to have (all) of your businesses here,” he said. “If you ever have a concern, feel free to call the Town Hall. If it’s a rumor, we’ll dispel it. If it’s a fact, we’ll advise on it. And if it’s anything in between, we’ll figure it out.”

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