MILFORD — Wielding mirror-finished ceremonial shovels in front of two large construction vehicles, officials broke ground Tuesday for the Milford Corporate Center, which will bring with it about 1,300 jobs.
Gov. Matt Meyer thought the date was fitting for the occasion.
“March 4th is the perfect day for a groundbreaking,” he said. “Today, we march forth to a future Milford that is very different from its past. ... It’s important that we change, and we grow.”
The $18 million initiative will create opportunities for Delawareans that will last for generations, the governor added.
Mayor F. Todd Culotta agreed, saying the center is part of the city’s effort to spearhead economic growth.
“It will contribute to the growth and quality of life in Milford, and we’re really excited about it,” he said, adding that the facility will create employment, add to Milford’s economy and develop a better quality of life.
“It just sets off a whole variety of things that’s good for our community,” the mayor continued.
City manager Mark Whitfield, who is retiring this spring, explained that the Milford Corporate Center came about from the city’s Vision 2023 strategic plan, which leaders began working on eight years ago.
The effort seeks opportunities for development in Milford and aims to leverage state assistance to do so, he said.
The No. 1 strategy, he continued, was to create an industrial park, which necessitated a zoning change in the comprehensive plan.
Then, the city purchased the 147-acre site at Milford Harrington Highway (Del. 14) and Canterbury Road (Del. 15). The property otherwise might have been used for a residential development, resulting in more than 1,000 housing units, Mr. Whitfield said.
The project is being financed via the city’s reserve funds, plus a $2.7 million grant from the Delaware Site Readiness Fund and some Delaware Department of Transportation infrastructure investment monies, he added.
“The goal of the city was not to make a profit on this but to keep prices as low as we could to attract businesses to Milford,” Mr. Whitfield said, adding that the center will include tree-lined streets, sidewalks and lighting, plus surrounding private properties will be buffered well.
Soon, the city, in partnership with NAI Emory Hill, will sell the 27 lots to businesses. The parcels vary in size, from 3.2-8.4 acres.
According to Milford planning director Rob Pierce, amenities like walking trails and a new water tower and sewage-pumping station will add to the location’s appeal.
“The reason why the City Council and the city went with this site is because it’s a high site. It’s dry. There are no wetlands, and there are sewer and water relatively close by,” he said. “You’ve got a couple of state routes, 14 and 15, so it’s a pretty good property for this type of development.”
Phase 1 of the project will involve construction of an entrance on Del. 15 at Airport Road, with a roundabout, plus an entrance on Del. 14, Mr. Pierce said. A road running parallel to both those routes also will be built in the first portion.
“It’s a one-year contract for construction,” he continued. “Hopefully, by this time next year, we’ll be wrapping up construction, and then, maybe you’ll start seeing movement on some of the lots.”
For its part, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford welcomes the center because “we’re not only creating opportunities for more jobs but also a trickle-down effect for families and the community as a whole, and making greater Milford a wonderful place to live, work and play,” said its executive director Jo Schmeiser.
“We’ve actually already had some calls from businesses looking to open here.”