SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. -New investment could be coming to communities across Delaware as the state nominates 25 areas for a new round of Opportunity Zone designations.
The Opportunity Zone program is designed to encourage private investment in selected communities by providing certain federal tax benefits to qualifying investors.
Seven of the proposed areas are in Sussex County, including communities in and around Seaford, Milford, Georgetown, Laurel and Millsboro.
The Delaware Division of Small Business says the goal is to use the program to address community needs while encouraging investment.
"Do we create some housing that doesn't currently exist? Do we make some of the housing and the businesses that are there already a little bit better?" said Patty Cannon of the Delaware Division of Small Business. "I would love to see us have more investment in small businesses or frankly in all size businesse
In Millsboro, one of the nominated areas, town officials say any new investment should build on the community's existing character.
"That's the thing about little small towns. You don't want to be what everybody else is," Millsboro Town Manager Jamie Burk said. "Everybody has their unique attributes. And you take those and you just focus on that and you amplify it."
In Laurel, some business owners say additional investment could help bring more businesses, visitors and economic activity to the town.
"It's a nice little quiet, small town. Seem to be a lot more people moving here. So it's a lot of opportunity for investors," Abbott Electric LLC owner Josh Abbott said.
Sheila Wilkins, owner of This n That Country Store, said additional businesses and dining options could give people more reasons to visit.
"Make people want to come here and visit? You know, if we have more businesses or somewhere nice to eat, they would. People would say, let's ride to Laurel," Wilkins said.
The proposed Opportunity Zone designations still need approval from the U.S. Treasury Department.
If approved, the new designations would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
