Western Sussex County is the heart of the Delmarva Peninsula sitting west of the Delaware Bay and east of the Chesapeake Bay. It is made up of towns along the Route 13 corridor to include Greenwood, Bridgeville, Seaford, Blades, Bethel, Laurel and Delmar. Western Sussex County is home to the Nanticoke River, which is the most biologically diverse watershed on Delmarva. The area of western Sussex County also holds its place in history for the English Explorer Captain John Smith and Abolitionist/Activist Harriet Tubman.
Greenwood – Greenwood – A nice place to live – is the northern most-town in the western Sussex County. The town boasts a sense of community with a pedestrian friendly vision.
Bridgeville – Just south of Greenwood lies Bridgeville with a sign “If you lived here you would be home now – Delaware’s Front Porch”. According to Town Manager Jesse Savage, Bridgeville is growing at a rate of 40 to 50 homes per year. The wastewater plant will be transitioned to Sussex County by 2020 and the town’s focus continues to be the “betterment of downtown with improved signage and storefronts”. Town Manager Savage added the town looks forward to “planned growth and another successful year.”
Seaford – Seaford…the Perfect Place to Start! Trisha Newcomer, Seaford’s director of economic development and community relations, highlights the changes in downtown. With the installation of utilities to serve properties along Rt. 13, Newcomer stated, the area will continue to prosper with growth opportunities. As part of Seaford’s revitalization, plans are in process for “Oyster House Park” on the bank of the Nanticoke River.
Laurel – Laurel-Great Things Come Naturally. Laurel is proud of their nature-based playground in Tidewater Park. Jamie Smith, Laurel town manager, shared the town will begin construction to install a walkway along Broadcreek to connect Roger C. Fisher Park to Janosik Park. Funding for this project came from DelDot’s TAP Funding Program. Smith also said building permits were higher the last few years and “construction and renovation of homes continues”.
Blades – Known as one of the most diverse towns in Delaware, Blades is adjacent to Seaford by its historic drawbridge. In 2015, Blades celebrated its 100th anniversary. Today, Blades is home to several businesses and Blades Park Marina.
Bethel – The town of Bethel is preparing to celebrate their 225th Founders Day Celebration on June 13, 2020. The town boasts a seafaring history and architecture from the colonial and historic periods.
Western Sussex County also includes beautiful landscapes, ponds, state parks, boat ramps, libraries and festivals to celebrate everything from apples to a Victorian Christmas. Visitors and residents can browse in antique stores and local shops, visit museums, libraries and have access to quality health care. They can celebrate local artists, farmers and food. There are many opportunities for outdoor adventures on area rivers and ponds. We also boast our June Bike and Brew bike ride with several mileage increments to celebrate the region and fitness.
There is much going on in this beautiful corner of the world called western Sussex County. The Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce celebrates the individuals and businesses who make our communities a great place to live, work and play.
The Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce invites you to be a part of our network. We have specific groups to help our members – community relations, member services, tourism and economic development.
A special economic development meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13, at Heritage Shores. Political leaders to include Governor John Carney, Minority Leader Danny Short, Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf and Council President Mike Vincent will be our guests. The cost of this special forum is $25 and will include lunch. If you would like to attend or have questions about our chamber, email Terry Carson or Suzanne Barger at
ad***@we**************.com
or call 302-629-9690.
Editor’s note: For more on what is happening in western Sussex, check out the Star’s Progress edition in next week’s papers.
