How Sussex County's Growing Airport Could Attract Development, Big companies Like Amazon, FedEx

Mar. 15—Driving past swaths of farmland and a handful of baseball fields, those passing by this small county airport may never suspect that its runways and aircraft hangars might have the power to attract serious economic growth.

But that's the hope of local and county officials who see Delaware Coastal Airport as a key part of the continued development in Sussex County — both commercial and residential growth that seems to be spreading west into towns like Georgetown.

Gene Dvornick, Georgetown's town manager, said he has seen the Route 9 corridor transform from picturesque farmland to housing developments — and that housing continues to move west, "slowly marching toward Georgetown."

Officials like Georgetown Mayor Bill West welcome this residential growth since it helps boost population levels necessary to attract more big-name restaurants or businesses. West said he hopes to see his town of 7,200 eventually grow to 10,000 people, arguing that economic development helps towns like his keep taxes low.

But what does this vision mean for people already living in these rural or suburban communities? And more importantly, what kinds of businesses might be moving in as this seemingly inevitable growth makes its way west?

To answer those questions, at least partially, people can turn their attention to the perhaps unlikely hub for economic activity: the Delaware Coastal Airport.

In recent years, Sussex County's only public-use airport has been growing, planning projects to improve traffic or provide more space for large aircraft. Some of these projects — like moving Park Avenue to give trucks direct access to Route 113 from Route 9, where the airport sits, as well as related plans to extend the primary runway — are underway now or will start construction soon.

"We want to make the airport grow," said Airport Manager Robert Bryant after the county approved a proposal to build two new hangars there. "We want it to become a tool for economic development. A tool to help generate job growth for the county."

While there is a tourism benefit to these improvements — and there are certainly individuals who will fly their private planes into the airport for weekend trips or lunch at Arena's — people may be surprised to hear about the economic impact this can have on the area, Pfaff said.

From supermarkets like Walmart and Weis Markets to poultry companies and the construction industry, a large number of corporations already fly into the airport, he said.

Now, with plans for a longer runway and more hangar space, the airport can attract more businesses or better support existing ones.

Being able to support larger aircraft could open the airport and nearby Georgetown to warehouses or distribution centers for major corporations like Amazon, FedEx or UPS — all possibilities that the mayor and town manager said they would be excited to see.

That's not to mention the many businesses based in the 175-acre industrial park at the airport. These businesses not only benefit from being close to the airport, but the area has been designated as a foreign trade zone, meaning they don't need to pay taxes on imported materials, Pfaff said.

One of the biggest and oldest tenants at the airport is ALOFT AeroArchitects, which engineers and manufactures products related to aviation. Growth at the airport could present more opportunities for tenants like ALOFT and their suppliers.

And, ultimately, more tenants and activity is good news for Georgetown and the tourism industry, Dvornick said, because that means more people eating in restaurants, staying in hotels and investing in the local community.

Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches. Got a story she should tell? Contact her at [email protected] or 302-332-0370. Follow her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.

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