Expanding business in Sussex County
Sussex County will add 30 acres to the Industrial Park east of Georgetown, a decision made to help spur the growth of business.
The land was purchased from the adjacent 74-acre King Farm was purchased by the county for $2.2 million, and there is already someone planning to move in.
Plastic fabrication company Atlantis Industries has already paid the county $500,000 to lease part of the property for the next 99 years, and they say land has been broken in preparation of a move starting in mid-July to September.
This is the first major addition to the industrial park since it was developed in the early 70s.
General Manager Chuck McLure says the company has been looking for ways to move for expansion for years. At one point Atlantis considered a move to Milford, but was derailed because they landed an auto contract.
A move has become a necessity due to the expanding business Atlantis has seen.
"One of our larger customers we have awarded us a significant amount of business and it filled this plant completely up," said McLure. "We had to get an off-site warehouse to store and shift product because we had no place to put it."
The new facility will feature 15,000 extra square feet of space compared to the building they currently occupy in Milton.
Shane Beard with quality control says the move will help with production and provide more room, but it will also bring more opportunities.
"Some in the automotive industry, some having to do with military, and maybe some pharmaceutical type opportunities. So a lot of things that will be very important on Delmarva to create jobs and we're glad to be in a position to help with that."
Atlantis currently staffs 45 employees and the move will eventually lead to expanded work force of about 20 to 30 percent. Those jobs will include operators, handlers, tech-related duties, and eventually supervisor roles.
"I think that if we can build up Sussex county with more industry, not just ours, but others. And I think the addition of this park will do a nice job of being able to entice new businesses to come in. I think it will be good for the whole county," McLure concluded.
