Millsboro, DE

A Proud Agricultural Heritage Meets an Innovative Future

Balancing Rapid Development with Small Town Character

Situated along the Indian River in southern Delaware, the town of Millsboro was shaped by its waterways and agricultural heritage. Over time, the community grew from a small milling village into a regional hub tied to farming and poultry production, with trade routes that connect inland communities to the Atlantic coast. Today, that legacy still echoes across the town, even as it welcomes the change that comes with new opportunities.

With a population of roughly 8,600 and climbing, Millsboro is seeing consistent expansion. “We’ve gone through a transition over the last couple of years where our growth pattern is faster than most towns around us. We’re looking at 10 to 15 percent population growth year after year,” notes Town Manager Jamie Burk.

He describes a vibrant blend of local restaurants and shops, and the conveniences of popular chain stores. “Millsboro is located on one of the coastal arteries of the Indian River Bay,” he continues. “It is a quaint, small town, but it also has a robust highway commercial aspect and has become a destination for people looking to relocate from other states for retirement purposes. It is also an area that provides housing options for your working class, your teachers, your firemen, your police officers, and healthcare providers.”

Assistant Town Manager Ashleigh Sander adds, “Millsboro is a down-to-earth town. We always like to say we’re the hometown in the heart of Sussex.”

Building for the Future

This growth has brought new demands to the town, resulting in ongoing infrastructure investments. Transportation projects are central to these efforts, including a $100 million initiative that has changed how vehicles move through the area. “The Department of Transportation put in a bypass for Route 24,” Burk elaborates. “That has helped significantly divert truck traffic and other traffic that isn’t destined for downtown and has really helped relieve congestion in that corridor.”

The town council has formed a Delaware Department of Transportation committee to open up the lines of communication. “It’s actually a committee that utilizes meetings to have a great rapport with DelDOT,” Sander expands. “We saw a significant increase in relation to getting things done since that committee has been formed. It’s been a great asset to the town.”

Millsboro has also adjusted speed limits in key areas and added a new traffic signal in a large residential development. “That is helping to provide safety and access in and out of the large-scale community Plantation Lakes, which, when it’s completely built out, will have doubled the population of Millsboro,” Burk recounts. “So that was a major accomplishment. It was on the books, but the residents and the town worked together with the Department of Transportation to help fast-track that.”

Burk highlights that utilities have expanded alongside that growth. “We brought on a second water plant a little bit more than a year ago, in addition to our existing water plant, which will help double the capacity of drinkable water we can produce.” A second wastewater plant is also in the works, doubling wastewater capacity in the town. “That will be a $29 million single batch reactor plant on town lands,” he describes. “It’s about a two-year build for that project. It’s being designed so that it can have a phased approach to expand over the next 5, 10, 15 years.”

Economic Momentum

Commercial activity in Millsboro continues to strengthen, with low vacancy rates and steady reinvestment across the town’s retail corridors. At the Mid Sussex Shopping Center, Planet Fitness has established a strong presence, and additional pad sites are slated for future development.

Another shopping center, Peninsula Crossing, has become one of Millsboro’s primary retail destinations. Anchored by major brands such as Lowe’s and BJ’s Wholesale Club, the center also features popular dining options like Texas Roadhouse. Its final phase is now complete with a 65,000 square foot location from Weis Markets. Burk reports, “That is the final pad site for that shopping center. So, that will basically be the last large-scale commercial retail construction project in Millsboro that’s on the books.”

Healthcare investment is also shaping the local economy. Regional provider Beebe Healthcare is developing a three-story emergency facility that will function as a pediatric ER and hybrid walk-in clinic. The site, located adjacent to the new bypass, has been strategically positioned to allow efficient access for emergency vehicles traveling in all directions. “We’re really excited for that. That’s going to bring a ton of jobs,” he says.

Just a short distance away, TidalHealth is constructing a 150,000 square foot medical campus, focused on outpatient services, including same-day procedures and primary care. “We’re anticipating that those projects are going to bring about 500 medical jobs between the two,” Burk relays. “But then there’s also the effect of all the  other support positions that come in when you have these sorts of facilities.”

In addition, Millsboro continues to see interest from business owners looking to establish a presence in the growing community. One example is the transformation of a long vacant restaurant space in the downtown. “It’s turned the large restaurant into three different units,” Burk shares. “One is a Brazilian steakhouse, the other is a nail salon, and then the third will be a bakery. We’re really excited about it, because it’s right downtown, and that’s going to bring more people to that area.”

Revitalization of the downtown is another focus. Through surveys and outreach, the town has gathered input from residents and visitors about the future of the historic core. The response has been strong, with hundreds participating and many expressing interest in volunteering. “We’ve received a lot of great feedback,” Sander says, noting that local groups, including the Garden Club, have helped lead beautification efforts. “With this being a big year with America 250, they’re being very intricate with placing red, white, and blue flowers in the planters and really making the downtown nice.”

Connection Through Community

Public safety is a main priority in the growing community. A new police station has strengthened operations, while also creating opportunities for community engagement. “It’s a huge improvement over the previous location,” remarks Burk. “One of our industry partners, Mountaire Farms, contributed to a basketball court to be included in the design. That’s a great way for the youth of the community to come out. We are thankful that we don’t have a high crime situation here, and community policing is one of the things that helps you maintain that. We firmly believe that here in Millsboro.”

Community events also play an important role in those connections. Throughout the year, the town hosts gatherings that bring residents together, and the police department partners with local organizations like Grace Methodist Church for initiatives such as Blue Santa, which supports families in need during the holidays. Sander emphasizes, “The events that are held here, whether it be chamber-sponsored or overseen by the town, the police department is always there and ready to help to ensure that the events go smoothly and safely.”

A Thoughtful Approach to Growth

One advantage for residents in Millsboro is that property taxes under municipal control have remained unchanged in recent cycles. “That’s based on the growth that we have here,” Burk acknowledges, adding that revenue from development, including transfer taxes and impact fees, has helped fund infrastructure and services. “Every time a property transfers hands, there’s a tax involved. A portion goes to the state, and a portion goes to the municipality,” he outlines. “So, the growth is helping. Every new home, or any construction, a portion of the funds is going into our funds to then offset having to raise taxes for police cars, public works, vehicles, road improvements, paving, those sorts of things.”

Looking ahead, the plan is to guide growth in a way that benefits the community over time. “The main focus right now is revitalizing our downtown, not only with businesses, but aesthetically speaking,” Sander says. She points to the importance of creating a pedestrian-friendly environment that supports local businesses and encourages people to spend time in the area.

Burk believes preparation is the key. “For economic development, you have to have infrastructure in place,” he asserts. That includes utilities and transportation, along with the staffing and services needed to meet rising expectations. At the same time, he says there needs to be a clear effort to protect what long-time residents value.

“We want to make sure that with all the new homes coming to town, it doesn’t create a burden on any of the existing residents,” Burk underscores. “We have to make sure that the costs related to growth don’t fall on the backs of the individuals who have been here a long time. And we need to make sure that that level of service remains, that the water and the sewer keep up, and that there’s enough officers, and there’s enough facilities here to support people and give them what they’re looking for in their day-to-day life.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Millsboro, DE

What: A town with a clear plan for growth and development

Where: Sussex County, Delaware

Website: www.millsboro.org