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Economic Development
O
verview of Milford, Delaware
Milford is a City located in both Kent and Sussex Counties in the State of Delaware. The Mispillion River divides the City between the two counties and serves as a key destination for residents and visitors. A former ship building hub, Milford has since transformed into a vibrant area packed with galleries, small businesses, special events, performance spaces and gathering places. Milford proudly combines traditional small-town values with unconventional imagination and artistic sentiment. In November 2018, Milford was selected by the Kent County Tourism Corporation as the 2018 Village of the Year. Milford's proximity to the Delaware beaches and designation as a Downtown Development District (DDD) has enabled the City to experience exponential growth in economic development and housing stock. Additionally, the City is nestled between Route 1 and Route 113 making it an attractive location for industries, and businesses serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Virginia.
Milford Advantages
Milford’s proximity to the Delaware beaches and designation as a Downtown Development District (DDD) has enabled the City to experience exponential growth in economic development and housing stock. Additionally, the City is nestled between Route 1 and Route 113 making it an attractive location for industries, and businesses serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Virginia. Click here for our one-sheet on the advantages of doing business in Milford, Delaware.
The City of Milford offers three Specific Economic Development Incentive Programs (SEDIP):
click on graph below for the complete Community Profile
More demographic data can be found here.
From 2017 to 2018, employment in Milford, DE grew at a rate of 6.2%, from 4.66k employees to 4.95k employees. The most common job groups, by number of people living in Milford, DE, are Sales & Related Occupations (572 people), Production Occupations (409 people), and Material Moving Occupations (387 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Milford, DE.
From 2017 to 2018, employment in Milford, DE grew at a rate of 6.2%, from 4.66k employees to 4.95k employees. The most common employment sectors for those who live in Milford, DE, are Manufacturing (796 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (681 people), and Retail Trade (594 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Milford, DE, though some of these residents may live in Milford, DE and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.
Milford Advantages
Milford’s proximity to the Delaware beaches and designation as a Downtown Development District (DDD) has enabled the City to experience exponential growth in economic development and housing stock. Additionally, the City is nestled between Route 1 and Route 113 making it an attractive location for industries, and businesses serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Virginia. Click here for our one-sheet on the advantages of doing business in Milford, Delaware.
Economic Development Incentives
The City of Milford offers three Specific Economic Development Incentive Programs (SEDIP):- Greater Milford Business Complex Incentive Program
- Downtown Development District Incentive Program
- Citywide Job Creation and Capital Investment Program
Community Profile
click on graph below for the complete Community Profile
Employment by Occupations
From 2017 to 2018, employment in Milford, DE grew at a rate of 6.2%, from 4.66k employees to 4.95k employees. The most common job groups, by number of people living in Milford, DE, are Sales & Related Occupations (572 people), Production Occupations (409 people), and Material Moving Occupations (387 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Milford, DE.
Employment by Industries
From 2017 to 2018, employment in Milford, DE grew at a rate of 6.2%, from 4.66k employees to 4.95k employees. The most common employment sectors for those who live in Milford, DE, are Manufacturing (796 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (681 people), and Retail Trade (594 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Milford, DE, though some of these residents may live in Milford, DE and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.
New or Existing Business Resources
State of Delaware - One Stop Business Services
The State of Delaware provides a "one-stop" website for new and existing businesses that operate in Delaware. Small businesses, startups, entrepreneurs, and expanding businesses can all get licenses, report hiring and additional State related information.
Need Help Starting or Expanding Your Business?
The below organizations provide technical assistance for small startups and existing small businesses.
City of Milford - Selecting a Location
Please contact the Planning Department if you are interested in opening a business in the City. Whether it is new construction or moving into an existing commercial space, contacting us early in the process can help avoid unnecessary delays in starting your business. Prospective business owners should become familiar with the City's zoning code and select a location that is appropriate for the proposed use. Click here to view Parcel, Zoning, Downtown Development District, Opportunity Zone, Historic Preservation and other geographic information in the City's Economic Development Mapping Portal. Click here to view a list of available for lease and for sale properties.
In addition, renovations or occupancy classification changes on existing buildings may require City and State agency approvals before you can operate your business. Click here to find out more information on the steps required to open your business in Milford.
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. Click on the links to find out more about the Business Energy Rebate (BER) program for small businesses or to learn how to get expert technical assistance and personalized consultative services
Location Matters
Report Ranks Delaware #3 for Most Favorable Corporate Tax Climate in U.S. The report, Location Matters, assesses the corporate tax burden in two categories of cities – major and mid-sized – throughout all 50 states, accounting for the wide range of tax impacts faced by businesses such as property tax, income tax, sales tax and others. The comprehensive study compared the full tax burden faced by businesses in all 50 states.
Key findings from the nationwide survey reveal:
USDA Programs & Services for Businesses
True Access Capital
Kent Economic Partnership
Sussex County Economic Development
Delaware Prosperity Partnership
Location Matters
Report Ranks Delaware #3 for Most Favorable Corporate Tax Climate in U.S. The report, Location Matters, assesses the corporate tax burden in two categories of cities – major and mid-sized – throughout all 50 states, accounting for the wide range of tax impacts faced by businesses such as property tax, income tax, sales tax and others. The comprehensive study compared the full tax burden faced by businesses in all 50 states.Key findings from the nationwide survey reveal:
- Delaware ranks #2 for overall corporate tax favorability for new firms.
- Delaware ranks #3 for overall corporate tax favorability for mature firms.
- Delaware ranks #1 nationwide for tax favorability in the manufacturing sector
Helpful Links
USDA Programs & Services for Businesses
True Access Capital
Kent Economic Partnership
Sussex County Economic Development
Delaware Prosperity Partnership