By Glenn Rolfe

SEAFORD — Once upon a time, Seaford was the regional economic envy, empowered by the DuPont company selecting the city as its pioneering home for nylon production.

After decades of prosperity, the city fell upon rough times, during DuPont’s production downsizing and ultimate departure.

Now, the Western Sussex city toasted for decades as the Nylon Capital of the World is on the rebound.

On multiple fronts, there’s growth and promising signs: Amazon, the Western Sussex Business Campus, retail gains in shopping centers, downtown revitalization, and development along the Nanticoke River.

“It’s exciting,” said Seaford Economic Development Director Trisha Newcomer.

Diversity is the operative word, she says.

“Coming from a community that had basically all its eggs in one basket so to speak when DuPont was here — and we saw what happened — to be able to diversify the opportunities, the employment is so much better and exciting to know there is going to be multiple opportunities, and it would not likely fracture our community if one disappeared,” Ms. Newcomer said. “It puts us on a much more stable footing.”

Seaford Mayor David Genshaw believes there is divine intervention.

“There has been a deep seeded desire among our community for revitalization of Seaford. A company like Amazon landing here is beyond any of our abilities. There have many a people and pastors and Unified Seaford praying for revitalization over empty stores and warehouses and vacant land like the Western Sussex Business Campus,” said Mayor Genshaw. “Sometimes we tend to forget when something happens that has been prayed about, asking God to intervene on our behalf and bless our community, and then things happen. Sometimes politicians will step up and take credit for everything. But some of these things are well beyond any of our controls.”

39th District State Rep. Danny Short, R-Seaford, recalls the DuPont heydays, when round-the-clock shifts were the norm and traffic bustled along streets with thousands of employees arriving and leaving the plant nestled on the western edge of town.

“I can remember way back, when I first got elected to the town council and was even the fire chief, one of the biggest complaints was, ‘Don’t go downtown at 8 in the morning, or 4 o’clock in the afternoon, or even midnight’ because traffic going through there was so horrendous. You could get run over trying to cross the road,” said Rep. Short. “Then all that changed. It went from a parking lot out to the DuPont site that was completely filled with thousands of cars, to now 100 or so, and like 3,000 empty spots.”

DuPont’s multi-story facility began operations in December 1939. During World War II, parachutes, mosquito netting, tents, and other goods for military use were made from Seaford’s nylon fiber.

After flourishing for decades, times changed, competition from foreign markets arrived and DuPont changed the name of this and other business portions to INVISTA, and then sold the plant in 2004.

“Coming from a community that was flourishing in the DuPont days, growing up in the area, to compare that to today, it is certainly not the same thing,” said Ms. Newcomer. “But the similarities of sense of pride and community are starting to come back.”

Amazon helps comeback

The comeback includes Amazon’s DSP center, ironically based in a former DuPont warehouse, that launched operations in its 100,000-plus square-foot facility on Dulany Street in January. As of mid-March, Amazon employed about 100 workers, not counting another 120 “subcontractor” employees through its DSP (Delivery Service Partners) subcontracting.

Amazon’s employment goal, Ms. Newcomer says, is for more than 200 for distribution alone, and additional DSP workforce.

The distribution center is currently processing 8,000 packages daily with capacity of up to 20,000. The center’s surveyance/coverage zone spans Denton, Maryland to Long Neck, from Milford to Salisbury, Maryland.

Amazon recently celebrated a milestone, having hit the 250,000th delivery plateau.

More jobs at Western Sussex Business Park

The Western Sussex Business Park, a project supported by local, county and state investment, is based on just over 100 acres at Herring Run Road and Ross Station Road. The city has closed on approximately 44 acres with KRM, a Chestertown, Maryland, firm that plans to construct at least one 50,000-square-foot upscale building, and possibly more.

“It will start out as the footprint. KRM has right of first refusal on the remaining property,” Mayor Genshaw said. “They (KRM) are coming through with site plans very shortly. Their intent is to start building; I’m saying late summer, they are saying early fall, let’s split the difference.”

Engineering for Phase II of the project, extending infrastructure, is under way.

Officials believe the business campus could, and should, surpass Amazon in employment opportunities.

“We don’t know for sure what it could do, but hundreds, if not a thousand jobs, possibly,” Ms. Newcomer said.

“I’m believing that that park is going to generate more jobs than an Amazon will. The hope and desire is that it is going to create a very diverse business community out there, manufacturing and distribution,” Mayor Genshaw said.

“The business campus, it’s going to take a little time to get up and running,” Rep. Short said. “That’s not a flash in the pan. This is something that is going to be around for a while. Those things are indicators of where we’re heading.”

Growth downtown and along the river

Ms. Newcomer points to the city’s Downtown Development District designation seven years.

“We’ve seen a huge upswing in businesses and some residential components. We’ve had 27 projects go through the Downtown Development District program,” Ms. Newcomer said “In terms of numbers we’ve have over $27 million in private investment dumped into the downtown since our designation in 2015.

“If you look at Seaford downtown 10 years ago there was a ton of vacancies, buildings collapsing. Some were torn down,” said Mayor Genshaw. “Now, there are virtually no vacancies downtown. It’s a diverse, thriving little marketplace.”

There is progress along the river.

The third of four four-story apartment structures comprising the The Residences at Riverplace, a gated luxury community is taking shape along the banks of the Nanticoke, with plans for a fourth building.

Along South Cannon Street, the city is partnering with the Chesapeake Conservancy on the Oyster House Park. It is a four-phase project, with plans for a small amphitheater and other amenities in Phase 2, which is currently on hold pending completion of a necessary sewer line interceptor project in that area.

The Oyster House Park formally opened to the public in the summer of 2021 to commemorate the competition of the first phase, which included extension of the Seaford Riverwalk, creation of fishing nooks, a performance deck for small concerts and events, docking facilities, kayak launch and bulkhead stabilization.

Phase I cost about $1.2 million. The projected Phase II cost is $1.4 million.

In partnership with Chesapeake Conservancy, the project’s focus is enhancing access to the Nanticoke River along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

“It’s great opportunity for eco-tourism … just getting people to the river,” said Ms. Newcomer. “So many people that live here … really the only knowledge they have of the river is crossing from Seaford to Blades or crossing on US 13. It’s definitely a gem.”

Mayor Genshaw and city officials are hopeful this will in turn stir revitalization of the old powerhouse, located along the river.

Meanwhile, business is booming along Sussex Highway (U.S. 13). Wawa opened last year, a new 7-Eleven is under construction and Plaza Tapatia occupies the former Friendly’s restaurant site. Indian Motorcycle of Seaford recently held its grand opening at the Sussex Highway location that for many years was Harley-Davidson of Seaford.

Laurel Pizzeria brought its express outlet to Stein Highway.

Recently, Dollar Tree opened its second city location in the Nylon Capital Shopping Center, which was a booming enterprise during the DuPont era. While the majority of retail space in the center remain vacant there is hope for future resurrection.

Additionally, commercial space near Amazon may be utilized by the Department of Elections for warehousing, and possibly a flooring company, Ms. Newcomer said.

Meanwhile, Seaford’s Gateway Park entrance from the town of Blades is undergoing an $835,000 facelift. It’s a transportation alternative project with DelDOT. Funding involves an 80/20, state/local share.

This stems from a conceptual vision plan the city had done in 2016. It is designed to enhance pedestrian connection to downtown with additional sidewalks to accommodate foot traffic, including TidalHealth Nanticoke Hospital to the downtown area.

More in the works

Looking to the future, the city installed two EV (electric vehicle) Level 2 charging stations, hoping that will entice EV owners to experience downtown during charging. The stations are in the parking lot on Spring Street.

City officials hail Seaford School District’s successful surge in student academic performance.

Sussex Montessori, located on the western side of town, offers additional educational options.

The Seaford Police Department, headed by Chief Marshall Craft, is top notch, Mayor Genshaw says, and the department a huge asset to the community.

Seaford obviously has not ascended to its economic plateau attained during DuPont’s era. But things are getting better.

“That has evolved over time, and not without a lot of hard work on a lot of people’s parts,” said Rep. Short, who said he and city councilman Matt MacCoy had lunch last week with a man from Pennsylvania interested in bringing a brew pub to Seaford. “There are coalitions that have been built between the state, the city and the county to be able to make those changes that you are seeing today. They just didn’t happen by the fact that the water boiled. It was the fact that someone went about getting all the tools lined up, to include the sewer upgrades. I think it is a real testament to the hard work of a lot of people, making sure that some of the money that we could get from the Bond Bill would help spur some of this activity.”

“There’s just a lot going on. I was here when things weren’t happening. I’m fortunate to be seated at the table when things are happening,” said Mayor Genshaw. “If you lived you lived here for any length time, you knew better times. You’ve been through some tough times, so it’s great to see the opportunity coming back, that sense of pride.”

Rep. Short, who as city mayor followed Guy Longo’s lead prior to joining the state legislature in 2006, says the city’s development philosophy needs to be applauded.

“I’m glad to see the city has maintained a focus on jobs and economic growth. The residential will come after you bring jobs. That’s kind of the mantra I had when I was mayor, that is why we built out on U.S. 13, and followed Guy Longo’s steps when he got the sewer up to Walmart,” Rep. Short said. “That was a big deal. A lot of people didn’t like that idea, but along with Walmart came Grottos and all that you see there.”

Rep. Short recognized Ms. Newcomer in her economic development role.

“She is an integral part in this. Her upbeat attitude, her positivity about the town and all the staff up there at City Hall that put a face on it allows some of this happen,” said Rep. Short.

Mayor Genshaw believes pride factors into this equation.

“I was here when things weren’t happening,” he said. “I’m fortunate to be seated at the table when things are happening. If you lived you lived here for any length time, you knew better times. You’ve been through some tough times, and it’s great to see the opportunity coming back, a sense of pride.”

Ms. Newcomer agrees.

“To be honest to say what was is the magic key, what is the magic sauce, I don’t necessarily know,” Ms. Newcomer said. “One thing I can surmise is it really all goes back to community involvement … and really believing in the community, whether it is from us at the governmental level, from the residents at their level, the school district. I think we have kind of all learned that none of us really operate or should operate is silos. It does come back to that community involvement and that sense of pride. It is cool to see that coming back. I don’t know that it ever really disappeared, but I don’t know where it went.”

Adds Mayor Genshaw, “We are 35-year overnight success. A lot of what is happening in Seaford was started through many others elected before us and city leadership before us.”

“Politics aside, the governor realizes, and his administration realizes that this area on the western side of the county is an important player in the overall economic position that the state needs to be in. They want the wins as bad as we do,” said Rep. Short. “I’m excited about it. I talk about it a lot, and people in Dover are probably getting tired of hearing me talk about it.”