Specific Economic Development Incentive Programs (SEDIP):

  • Greater Milford Business Complex Incentive Program: any new construction on City-owned, undeveloped land within the Greater Milford Business Complex. Eligibility shall be based on the creation of full-time equivalent jobs as outlined here. The incentive beneficiary shall enter into an agreement with the City of Milford to ensure the eligibility criteria are met and maintained.
  • Downtown Development District Incentive Program: any new residential or commercial construction, redevelopment, or expansion within the Downtown Development District.
  • Citywide Job Creation and Capital Investment Program: any new business or expansion of any existing business within the City based on the creation of full-time equivalent jobs and/or capital investment as outlined here. 
Incentive options may be made available for any SEDIP offered such as impact fee waivers or reduction, permit and fee waivers or reduction, installment land contract and tax abatements.

Milford Named a Downtown Development District in 2016

The Downtown Development Districts Act of 2014 (the Act) was enacted by the Delaware General Assembly in order to:

  • Spur private capital investment in commercial business districts and other neighborhoods;
  • Stimulate job growth and improve the commercial vitality of such districts and neighborhoods;
  • Help build a stable community of long term residents by improving housing opportunities; and

  • Assist municipalities in strengthening neighborhoods while harnessing the attraction that vibrant downtowns hold for talented people, innovative small businesses and residents from all walks of life.

DSHA Small Project Grant Program

The Small Project Set-Aside is for program eligible Investors that make Qualified Real Property Investments (QRPIs) of $25,000 to $350,000. Investors that make a $25,000 or greater QRPI are entitled to a Grant in an amount equivalent to 20% of the QRPI up to $70,000 per building or facility. DSHA will accept applications for Small Projects throughout the year; as long as funding is available. Investors have the option to apply for a Lite-Reservation or wait to apply for a Grant after the project is fully completed and placed in service. To apply for a Lite-Reservation the Investor must meet the minimum threshold, and Building permit requirements.

DSHA Large Project Grant Program

The Large Project Set-Aside is for program eligible Investors that make QRPIs in excess of $350,000. Rebates for QRPIs between $350,000 and $2,500,000 are calculated at a rate of 20%. Rebates for QRPIs greater than $2,500,000 are calculated at a lower rate up to $1,500,000 per building or facility. Large Project Investors must apply for a Reservation in order to be considered for a DDD Grant. In the event DSHA receives Reservation requests that exceed the amount of available funding, applications that address the established priorities will receive special consideration.

  • Identified in District Plan as Priority Project
  • Readiness to Proceed
  • Creates Permanent Jobs
  • Creates or Sustains Mixed-Use Development
  • Expands Housing Opportunities
  • Protects Historic Resources
  • Adaptively Reuses Existing Structures
  • Promotes Sustainable Practices

An Attestation of Costs by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is required for all Large Projects.

City of Milford Incentives for Qualifying Projects
  • Full waiver of sewer, water and electric impact fees.
  • Waiver of building permit fee and other associated City fees.
  • Rehabilitation projects that increase the assessed value by more than 50% receive a full abatement of City taxes for 10 years.
  • Rehabilitation projects that increase the assessed value by less than 50% receive a partial abatement of City taxes for 10 years.
  • New residential or commercial construction will receive a full tax abatement for 5 years.
  • Properties converted from residential rental units to owner occupied housing will receive a full tax abatement for 10 years.
  • Realty Transfer tax waiver for first-time homebuyer.

Rob Pierce
District Administrator
Phone: (302) 424-8395
Email

Sara Bluhm
Assistant District Administrator
Phone: (302) 725-2068
Email

More information here

Downtown Business Resources

Business must be within Downtown Milford, Inc.’s program boundaries

  • Small Business Loan
  • Five for Five Paint Grant Program
  • Design, Facade & Awning Grant

Efficiency Smart

The City of Milford, in partnership with the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC), offers Efficiency Smart to help its businesses reduce their energy use and save money. Whether you rent or own your building, Efficiency Smart can help your business save energy and money through energy efficiency improvements. You can receive incentives on many energy efficiency improvements, such as:

  • Lighting and lighting controls
  • Refrigeration
  • HVAC
  • Compressed air systems
  • Motor controls
Small Business Solutions
  • Pre-approval is required before ordering any equipment to qualify for rebates 
  • Businesses that use less than 250,000 kWh (or have less than approximately $25,000 in annual electric costs) across all locations are eligible
  • Receive technical advice and financial incentives on energy efficiency upgrades
Large Business Solutions
  • Pre-approval is required before ordering any equipment to qualify for rebates
  • Consultative services and financial incentives for large businesses with annual electric use of 250,000 kWh or more (this is approximately $25,000 in annual electric costs) across all locations
  • Technical assistance from energy engineers to help determine the most cost-effective upgrades while ensuring optimal savings
  • A dedicated account manager to help your business complete the process from start to finish

Call 877-889-3777 for questions

Opportunity Zone

Opportunity Zones are an economic development tool designed as revitalization programs in economically-distressed communities in Delaware and in other communities by providing tax benefits to investors. Governor John Carney selected the Kent County side of Milford as an Opportunity Zone in April 2018. These Opportunity Zones are designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Learn more about the Advantages of Qualified Opportunity Zone Investments

Milford Shovel-ready Projects
  • Main Street Projects: Rehabilitation
  • Affordable/Workforce Housing
  • Light Industrial
  • Retail, Office, Mixed Use
  • Small Businesses
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Several parcels/projects located within Downtown Development District (DDD) with potential for additional financial incentives and tax credits

Delaware Strategic Fund

Delaware offers performance grants to projects that advances the economy significantly through job creation, expansion, and relocation of businesses to the state. For more information on the Delaware Strategic Initiative Fund and application process please contact Becky Harrington, bharrington@choosedelaware.com.

In addition, the Division of Small Business may also offer low-interest loans to projects on commercially contaminated/worn locations such as Brownfield sites. For more information please click here.

Site Readiness Grants

The purpose of this incentive program is to ensure Delaware has development site options that will allow communities to compete for investment and job creation opportunities (by new or existing employers).  The aim is to help cultivate a “portfolio of properties” that are ready (or near ready) for development. Applicants can be a private landowner, equitable owner/developer, public entity such as a county or municipality, or utility provider that is developing property or providing necessary services for an area, industrial or business park. Funds are reserved for industrial or office projects. Preference to properties and projects that align with the State’s Strategy Investment Levels 1, 2 and 3. State Investment Level Map. For more information and the application please click here.

Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund (TIIF)

TIIF was established to allow businesses to make roadway infrastructure improvements that will support job-creating projects in Delaware.  The fund is managed by the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund Council, a nine-member council established by the legislation. The council will consider applications and make funding recommendations to Delaware’s Transportation Secretary and the Secretary of State. For more information on the application process please click here.

DNREC Brownfields Development Program

The DNREC Brownfields Development Program encourages the cleanup and redevelopment, reuse or expansion of properties which may be perceived to be environmentally contaminated.

The program certifies properties as brownfields, making them eligible for grant funding and tax credits as applicable. Financial assistance is available as reimbursement to eligible parties in the form of brownfields grants funded by the Hazardous Substances Cleanup Act (HSCA) and low interest loans from the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund. The brownfields grants and loan fund help eligible borrowers pay for the cleanup of brownfields.

The first step in participating in the brownfields program is to submit an application for brownfields certification to the Remediation Section, attention.  More information.

Graduated Lab Space Grants

The purpose and spirit of this incentive program is to create more “ready-to-go” lab space for companies growing out of space that hampers their ability to continue thriving in Delaware. Targeted companies include early stage and small to medium sized companies that are growing out of their existing space in Delaware, as well as similar companies from outside of the state which are considering relocating or expanding to Delaware. The Agreement will be structured so that both the company receiving the grant and the space owner/lessor are parties to ensure that: 1) the company remains operating in the state for a period of five years; and 2) the owner maintains the improved space as a community asset for the same length of time, regardless of whether the Company Grantee leaves before the end of the five-year term. Eligible applicants may apply for a grant of up to 33% of the fit-out or building costs for the lab space portion of the space (at a rate of up to $150/ft, for a space of up to 50,000 sq ft per company). For more information on the application process please contact Noah Olson, nolson@choosedelaware.com.

EDGE Grants (Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion)

Through a competitive award process, businesses can receive up to $25,000/$100,000 in matching grants to put toward a wide range of eligible expenses. Grants up to $25,000 for Entrepreneur Class and up to $100,000 for STEM Class. The funds are intended as a $3 (state) to $1 (business) match. The Division can award up to 15 grants per application round (5 STEM/10 Entrepreneur). For more information on EDGE grants, please click here.

ExciteSussex Fund

Discover Bank and The Grow America Fund (an affiliate of the National Development Council) have partnered to launch the ExciteSussex Fund. Together, they are working to help companies grow their businesses in Sussex County. With longer loan terms and below market interest rates, the ExciteSussex Fund can help businesses stretch their cash flow and save thousands of dollars with lower monthly payments.  For more information on the ExciteSussex Fund, please click here.

Kent County Growth Fund

The Kent County Growth Fund is available to help Kent County businesses grow and expand. Existing businesses can use this fund as a resource to alleviate some of the financial pressures that high-rate loans place on the business, making expansion and growth much more affordable.  For more information on the Kent County Growth Fund, please click here.

Modernization Investment Support Initiative (MISI)

The Modernization Investment Support Initiative (MISI) provides grant funds to qualified businesses that face regional, national, or global competitive forces that could disrupt or negatively affect local operations (employment and activity) unless investments are made that can update or ‘modernize’ the Delaware location.  View the Fact Sheet here.

Delaware Division of Small Business Incentive Programs

  • Delaware Capital Access Program and State Small Business Credit Initiative Participation Loan help lenders to provide financing to businesses deemed too risky for the traditional banking model due to minor collateral or credit issues.
  • Delaware Technical Innovation Program offers transition grants for companies that have completed Phase I and applied for Phase II of the federal Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer programs as they work to bring new products to market.
  • Tax-Exempt Bond Financing allows the Division to act as the conduit issuer on bond for tax-exempt, non-profit organizations. (click the link to access current TEFRA notices)
  • More programs here

Elevate Delaware

The program will provide up to $10,000 to individuals for approved non-credit certificate programs provided by the Delaware Workforce Development Board guidance of eligible programs.

  • Payments to support completion of program
  • Basic living expenses
  • Non-credit certificate programs
Program Eligibility

Individuals are eligible for Elevate Delaware if they are employed by an employer with under 51 employees and are subject to Delaware income tax.

  • Employ < 51 employees
  • Accepted for enrollment in an eligible program
  • Pays DE Income Tax
Benefits for Employees

Elevate Delaware provides payments that support completing the non-credit certificate program and improving skills, giving opportunities, and increasing earning capacity. Participants must create a Delaware JobLink account to get started for qualifications.

  • Improve skills
  • More opportunities
  • Increase earning capacity
Benefits for Employers

Elevate Delaware helps employers expand by investing in workforce development and helps Delaware residents increase their earning capacity.

  • Upskill employees
  • Retention on employment
  • Investing in workforce development
Employer Q&A Sessions

The Division of Employment & Training is hosting a series of Q&A sessions about Elevate Delaware programs for employers with 51 employees or less from Wednesday, February 9th to June 1, 2022.  Registration is required for the Q&A sessions. There are limited spots available per Q&A with 15 registrants per session. Select the session that is most convenient for you – sessions start at 9 am on Wednesdays.

Division of Small Business Workforce Training Grant 

The Delaware Division of Small Business offers Workforce Training grants that help fund customized training for eligible Delaware entities. The objective of the program is to attract and retain quality jobs to the State of Delaware, as well as create opportunities for advancement for Delaware employees. Applicants for Workforce Training grants must be able to demonstrate a business need for the training. Training programs should be related to new and innovative processes or programs, machinery, or technology-related upgrades. Training projects that create new jobs within the State will be given priority. A matching program that funds specialized training for companies of up to $100,000 per project.

State Tax Credits

The Division of Revenue administers tax credits related to economic development (list below). Click here to contact Revenue for more information and here to apply for a credit.

  • New Business Facility Tax Credit
  • New Economy Jobs Tax Credit
  • Research and Development Tax Credit
  • Green Industries/Brownfield Tax Credit
  • Land and Historic Resource Conservation Tax Credit
  • Historic Preservation Tax Credit
  • Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit
  • Business Finder’s Fee Tax Credit
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Hiring Tax Credit

Helpful Links