Guest Opinion: SEDAC president reflects on group’s 2022 successes
Joe Conaway is the president of the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee.
Last year was another success for the Sussex Economic Development Action Committee, and, although much was done, there is still more to do! We look forward to continuing the fight to bring more jobs to Sussex County and will continue our efforts with a number of other groups to create economic opportunity for the people of Sussex. From new growth in Seaford and continued growth around Millsboro to efforts to bring more affordable housing to our county, the group stands ready to assist with the economic development so important to the retention of our young people, to the creation of new services and to see that the infrastructure improvements so necessary for proper growth continue at the financial level we now see from the federal, state, county and municipal governments.
Let us not forget that the private sector continues to be the driving force that makes all this possible. We hope that 2023 brings the needed change in the roadblocks that have been created that slow proper growth and cost outrageous sums that increase costs without protecting or improving our environment and providing opportunities for all the people of Sussex.
Let’s talk about 2022. We heard from a number of speakers this past year. They included Dr. Jeffrey Hawtof, Dr. Joyce Robert and Tanha Ray, all of Beebe Healthcare, to discuss Beebe’s efforts to increase the number of doctors in Sussex. We heard from Michelle Harris, the Delaware regional director for the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as the state planning coordinator, David Edgell, concerning land-use planning. Bob Perkins, executive director of the Delaware Business Roundtable, discussed impediments to smart growth. Dr. Matthew Robinson, professor of business administration at the University of Delaware, spoke about the return of the Slam Dunk to the Beach, and pointed out ways that the university is reaching out to arts and cultural groups, along with efforts to promote sustainable coastal communities.
Dr. Kevin Carson, Sussex Technical School District superintendent, and Mr. Matthew Donovan, principal of Sussex Tech High School, pointed out that vocational education is alive and well in Sussex, and that discussion led to a tour of the school. We also heard from State Treasurer Colleen Davis about initiatives such as a self-funded retirement program for those without such an opportunity; ABLE, a program for those with disabilities; and Aspire529, for those aging out of foster care. Attorney General Kathy Jennings spoke about her efforts to combat criminal activities involving fraud, environmental crimes and public corruption.
Former Sussex County administrator and SEDAC member David Baker talked about his new role as state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Delaware and Maryland. He was accompanied by Letitia Nichols, also with the Ag Department. They spoke about the millions of dollars that have made their way into Sussex from their agency, including money for broadband.
Bayhealth discussed its very successful residency program that, hopefully, will lead to more doctors in Sussex. Dr. Ed Hale of the University of Delaware and Mike Casey, local shellfish grower, discussed the successful Delaware Shellfish Aquaculture Program that not only provides economic opportunities for individuals but, because of the work associated with oyster farming, creates more and better habitats for mussels, blue crabs and commercially valuable fish.
One of our members, Preston Schell, urged our committee’s support to correct a loophole in our present realty transfer tax that works against affordable housing units, a change that we support. Assistant secretary of the Department of Transportation, Shante Hastings, spoke of the department’s efforts in Sussex to reduce time issues associated with their regulations. It was pointed out to the assistant secretary that, although Sussex County is the largest landmass in Delaware (49%), we only get 17% of the $4 billion available for road construction in Delaware.
Finally, Mike Dunmyer of US Wind, and Matt Drew and Brady Walker of Ørsted discussed the economic effect the development of wind farms off our coast would have on Sussex. After a thorough vetting by both our Advocacy Committee and our membership, we endorsed the project for the jobs that will be created, fearing if we stay out of the issue, all the jobs will go to Maryland.
A project we endorsed has come to fruition, with the expansion of broadband in Delaware through a grant of over $100 million to three providers in Delaware. We created a committee to explore the creation of a medical school in Sussex, headed by Chris Weeks and George Beckerman.
We met with the Kent Economic Partnership to explore the possibility that we could work together when it came to issues that benefit both counties. We supported and commended the Sussex County Council for increased funding of its economic development department and their setting aside of $7 million for the Sussex airport and business park. We supported the Beebe plan to provide a free-standing hybrid emergency room in Millsboro that will specialize in both adult and pediatric treatment, and it has been approved by the Delaware Health Commission.
We supported County Council’s new affordable rental program and encouraged them to now move to affordable homeownership. We supported the Bioenergy Innovation Center that provides energy, supports the environment and helps the poultry industry remain viable in Sussex. We continue to support the reduction of the realty transfer tax from 4% to 3%, a move that will make homeownership more affordable.
Our Advocacy Committee, under the leadership of Josh Mastrangelo, has endorsed a number of development projects that will provide construction jobs, permanent jobs, new homes, new businesses and affordable rental units, and will support the Sussex County comprehensive land-use plan.
Once again, I want to thank Linda Price, our secretary, for all her efforts. Keep in mind that she does all this work while serving as president of the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. I also want to thank our membership for their efforts to make SEDAC successful. We are all volunteers, and without their help and advice, nothing would be possible.
Membership is open to all business interests in Sussex County. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact any of our present members or reach out to me. Please join us as we all look forward to the day when our children and grandchildren will not have long drives home during the holidays because the good-paying jobs that they presently hold elsewhere are available right here in Sussex County.
