| We Sussex Countians are fortunate in many | | | | eco-tourism pursuits; beach walking, are all |
| ways as we have a wonderful quality of life | | | | growing by several percent each year.Historic |
| here.Climate: | | | | Appreciation and Preservation: |
| | | | |
| Our climate for one thing is the best in the | | | | Lewes, Milton and Georgetown all have (in |
| region. The United States Department of | | | | that order) substantial historic preservation |
| Agriculture has a map that shows the | | | | districts. Purchasing and restoring as well |
| temperature zones for plants (and people). | | | | as maintaining these historic homes and shops |
| This map shows Delaware in the same climate | | | | is a major and growing contributing factor to |
| band as mid-Texas, northern Georgia, and the | | | | our economy and local aesthetic beauty. There |
| Carolinas. Delaware is by far the northern | | | | are hundreds of homes in Lewes and Milton |
| most place for this climate. Southern | | | | with extensive restoration work done. Some of |
| Delaware, although not delineated on this map | | | | these are now Bed and Breakfast Inns. Many of |
| is shown as one zone more southerly in the | | | | these Historic sites are listed in the |
| more detailed maps you get for planting | | | | national or state register of historic places |
| flowers and vegetables as shown in gardening | | | | because of their importance to community, |
| texts.Sussex County Delaware has a winter | | | | their place in state history or prehistory, |
| climate and temperature that equals the | | | | or due to significance in architecture, |
| Carolinas, Georgia and northern Florida. It | | | | archeology, or culture. Many of these places |
| has a summer climate and temperature that is | | | | are not suitably listed by beautiful never |
| more like New York and Massachusetts. The | | | | the less and important to all of us. Sussex |
| reason for this is the tempering effects of | | | | County has listed several buildings in the |
| the large bodies of water that surround | | | | National/State Register in recent years. |
| Sussex County have more local effect on | | | | Retaining our existing stock and extending |
| keeping us cool in Summer and Warm in winter | | | | the longevity of historic resources keeps the |
| than the land does. The closer you get to the | | | | past vivid in our daily lives. Travelers tend |
| water the more this is true. The Eastern | | | | to plan longer trips around historic |
| Sussex area is almost identical to Boston | | | | sites.Education: |
| temperatures in the summer and Tampa | | | | |
| temperatures in the winter.Driving and | | | | Education is a critical element in our |
| Commuting Distance: | | | | community's quality of life. Our vision for |
| | | | the future creates a world-class education |
| In Sussex County we feel we are far enough | | | | system that is challenging and diverse enough |
| from everything and close enough to all | | | | to encourage the highest levels of student |
| that's important. While we enjoy and idyllic | | | | and faulty achievement, works in partnership |
| rural and resort lifestyle here, we are a | | | | with families and the community, and provides |
| couple of hours to the cities. When I lived | | | | life-long learning opportunities. Sussex |
| in L.A. most of us drove two or more hours | | | | Technical & Community College, Wilmington |
| each way to work. Southern Californians spend | | | | College, Goldey Beacon Business Schools, |
| 4 to 8 hours a day in their cars - no wonder | | | | University of Delaware and more are active |
| the car culture is so strong there. In two | | | | campuses here in Salt Water Sussex County. A |
| hours we can be past Wilmington to | | | | thriving economy is essential to the |
| Philadelphia and beyond; past Baltimore and | | | | education system. Healthy families ensure |
| into Washington D.C. and beyond and to the | | | | that students are ready to learn. A vibrant |
| south we can reach Norfolk in just over two | | | | arts community and our unique natural |
| hours. The slowest part of each of these | | | | environment provide opportunities for |
| trips is the first 45 minutes which are on | | | | hands-on learning. We have numerous work |
| our picturesque Colonial roads, but then we | | | | study programs particularly in education, the |
| hit the open roads and the miles click on by. | | | | arts, health care, law enforcement, |
| We are about 90 minutes to any of four | | | | oceanography, environmentalism and commercial |
| International Airports - take your pick: | | | | boating. Our region will continue to enhance |
| Dulles, Reagan, Baltimore Washington or | | | | the strength, depth and diversity of our |
| Philadelphia. We have air commuter service 45 | | | | region's education system. Educational |
| minutes away in Salisbury or Newcastle. | | | | excellence is fundamental to our competitive |
| Charter service is available in Georgetown | | | | economy, a healthy environment, |
| right here in the middle of Sussex | | | | self-sufficient families, and an outstanding |
| County.Telecommuting and Teleworking: | | | | community. Our elementary schools, middle |
| | | | schools and high schools in the Cape Henlopen |
| Sussex County, especially just west of the | | | | School District and nearby areas are usually |
| beach areas is a rapidly growing area for | | | | at or near the top of the Delaware education |
| telecommuting. The ultra-high-speed cable | | | | system success gradients.Health Care: |
| access to the Internet is available anywhere | | | | |
| that Comcast Cable television service is. | | | | Health and wellness are fundamental to |
| This cable modem service is about 10-30 times | | | | community prosperity. A healthy community |
| faster than dial-up service and makes all the | | | | embraces all aspects of health. Our vision of |
| difference if you are on line all day like | | | | a healthy future focuses on healthy behavior |
| Kate and I are. Although the cable modem | | | | and prevention which allows people to |
| costs about $50 a month, you can split it and | | | | celebrate and live life to its fullest and |
| without a drop in speed have two or three | | | | ensures accessible care to encourage the best |
| people in your home on the same hookup - that | | | | health outcomes. State of the art technology |
| makes it very cost effective. I specialize in | | | | will allow people with critical needs to get |
| helping those who do, or want, to telecommute | | | | care in their own community. Dedicated and |
| or as they say in Europe and the Federal | | | | caring doctors, nurses and caregivers are at |
| Government, to telework. We have helped | | | | the heart of our health care system. A |
| numerous people move in and work from home. | | | | thriving economy and good jobs ensure that |
| The various government agencies are now | | | | families have access to health care. A clean |
| pressing more and more people to telework at | | | | environment offering rich recreational |
| least a few days a week. If you go to the | | | | choices supports healthy families. |
| various federal web sites most if not all of | | | | Affordable, accessible health care is |
| them have criteria and jobs for teleworkers - | | | | essential to our vision of families that can |
| check it out. And don't forget your favorite | | | | support our economy and schools as well. |
| jobs anywhere - you may be able to work here | | | | Beebe Hospital headquartered in Lewes has |
| and have a job in any other place on earth or | | | | developed (to a great degree under the |
| at least any other place in America.Crime: | | | | auspices of my father, Joe Hudson) a large |
| | | | number of clinics and satellite health care |
| Our crime, what there is of it, is mostly | | | | facilities spread frequently around the |
| out of state speeders on the highways. Some | | | | area.Healthy communities focus on wellness, |
| of our visitors are of the opinion (right or | | | | prevention and access to quality medical |
| wrong) that our major source of state income | | | | care. When health care is hard to find or |
| in Delaware is fines from speeding tickets. | | | | expensive, people may delay treatment, often |
| That is the primary function of our police on | | | | making their health problems worse. Timely |
| a daily basis. We are certainly not crime | | | | access to appropriate health care benefits |
| free but we are safer than most places. In | | | | everyone.Beebe Hospital is certainly the |
| fact of our serious crimes, most are DUI, | | | | fastest growing and largest employer in the |
| Driving Under the Influence and still our | | | | beach resort area and growing fast to support |
| statistics are that of a very peaceful and | | | | our retirement communities as more and more |
| laid back rural area.Size and Density: | | | | people retire here at earlier and earlier |
| | | | ages and remain more and more active in life, |
| Sussex County is the largest county east of | | | | business and recreation. We have a wonderful |
| the Mississippi River with 938 square miles! | | | | school of nursing attached to the hospital as |
| Sussex has almost the exact same size as the | | | | well: The Beebe Hospital School of |
| other two counties of Delaware combined; yet | | | | Nursing.Beach and Natural Environment Areas: |
| we have only about 15% of the state | | | | |
| population with our 120,000 people. That | | | | And this, our beach area, is of course what |
| relates to only 128 people per square mile, | | | | we are nationally famous for. The natural |
| compared to almost 1100 people per square | | | | environment is the very foundation of |
| mile in our northern county, New | | | | community well-being. We are in late |
| Castle.Financial and Economic Vitality: | | | | transition from a farming community to a |
| | | | resort and arts community. Our best and most |
| Southern Delaware is uniquely a haven for | | | | optimum future relies on a clean environment |
| the self employed. The economic vitality of | | | | that attracts tourists as well as high |
| Sussex County, especially eastern Sussex | | | | quality residents and entrepreneurs. A |
| County, is primarily that of self employment | | | | world-class educational presence here |
| in addition to jobs in education, law | | | | supports environmental protection. Our highly |
| enforcement, lodging, health care, Real | | | | educated tourists and residents are another |
| Estate of course, Real Estate law, | | | | factor ensuring our increasingly strong |
| residential and commercial building and | | | | accent on an ever improving environment. A |
| construction, which is related, and retail | | | | strong economy is essential to restoration |
| management. Part of the reason for our | | | | projects. Well-planned land uses and |
| overall economic health is that our owner | | | | infrastructure investments can protect and |
| operated businesses are so diverse. There are | | | | enhance the environment. Environmental |
| no huge corporations employing thousands of | | | | vitality is essential to our vision of a |
| people in high paying jobs that can crash or | | | | sustainable economy. An unmatched environment |
| affect our economy in any way. We also have a | | | | also supports year-round recreation to |
| growing and vibrant arts community of fine | | | | attract a more diverse mix of tourists and |
| artists, writers, and musicians who live here | | | | our favorite and more diverse mix of |
| and gain income from a wide national and | | | | teleworkers and retirees.The National Parks & |
| international area. As the teleworking era | | | | Recreation Association recommends 7 acres of |
| grows here this self-employed base will grow | | | | community parks and 20 acres of regional |
| and diversify even more.Cultural Values: | | | | parks per 1,000 population. We are far, far, |
| | | | beyond that ratio. Our beach area is one of |
| We have so many cultural events in the so | | | | our largest park assets and boasts a variety |
| called off-season that we are developing | | | | of recreational facilities including ball |
| another season which some are calling the | | | | fields, golf courses, and a variety of water |
| aesthetics season to complement the beach | | | | sports and enjoyment opportunities. Keeping |
| tourism season. The arts are a measure of the | | | | up with parks maintenance is a constant area |
| richness of our lives, our community and our | | | | concern which we do quite well.Parks offer a |
| economy. The arts are a multi-million dollar | | | | place to relax, recreate, and visit with |
| industry here when our aesthetics season | | | | friends. A combination of developed parks and |
| visitors rent rooms, rent homes for the | | | | natural areas provides a mixture of |
| several day events, eat at our restaurants, | | | | activities like playing sports and walking a |
| shop at our hundreds of outlet stores and | | | | quiet trail. Trees, grass and other |
| otherwise spend time and money in our various | | | | vegetation clean our air. Relocating |
| establishments. We have a couple of local | | | | individuals often cite parks and schools as |
| pre-university schools which feature art and | | | | deciding factors for moving to our region. |
| music education which studies show enhance | | | | Trails can connect neighborhoods and |
| problem solving and abstract thinking | | | | contribute to healthy active lives. Trails |
| abilities of students in whatever field they | | | | enhance mobility and access to public lands. |
| may end up in; arts or not.Many of us are | | | | The hundreds of miles of trails and bike |
| working to further enhance the emphasis on | | | | paths have increased constantly in our beach |
| the arts here. There are many ways we can | | | | region. Funding issues make development of |
| individually work to increase our cultural | | | | trails challenging.The natural environment, |
| assets. One business could support art in | | | | our beach and wetland areas as well as our |
| public places. An individual can contribute | | | | farm land, is what most people list first |
| time, money, or expertise to cultural | | | | when talking about our region's quality of |
| organizations. All these efforts will help | | | | life. This is an area that clearly shows what |
| stimulate an on-going cycle of learning, | | | | a positive impact people can have with |
| investment, and growth in our region. And, of | | | | relatively small individual contributions. |
| course the most important thing we can do is | | | | Our region's water quality and air quality |
| attend and invite friends in from out of town | | | | are wonderful and have improved tremendously |
| to attend as many of these events and | | | | over the last 50 years. Regional investment |
| functions as possible.Tourism: | | | | in the natural environment can ensure that we |
| | | | continue to enjoy the natural benefits we can |
| For many decades, tourism has been the | | | | not easily replace: reducing pollution, |
| backbone of our local, eastern Sussex County | | | | processing waste, improving water and air |
| economy. We are well known, in Rehoboth | | | | quality, and moderating the damage of |
| Beach, as The Nation's Summer Capital. Our | | | | flooding. Investments in our community's |
| other beaches are regionally favored above | | | | "green infrastructure" are critical to the |
| all others: Dewey Beach for the skim board | | | | health of our families as well as to our |
| surfing and parties; Bethany Beach for the | | | | tourist-based economy and those investments |
| bedroom community family oriented beachy | | | | are being made by our various governmental |
| place and Fenwick Island for the fine homes | | | | divisions and by our individuals. Our largest |
| and fine beaches that are revered by those | | | | park style land owner in fact, is Delaware |
| who relish home life without adjacent | | | | Wild Lands a private organization devoted to |
| commercial activities. Of course Fenwick | | | | securing the quality of life for all |
| Island is very close to thousands of | | | | Delawareans and doing it well.Land Use and |
| commercial enterprises in Ocean City | | | | Zoning: |
| Maryland.Visitors bring money into our local | | | | |
| economy, support local businesses, which | | | | The land use choices we make are the |
| provide jobs, and they pay for gas, rooms, | | | | blueprint for our community's design. Our |
| home rentals and room sales taxes. We | | | | vision of the future provides effective |
| increasingly enjoy higher returns from our | | | | infrastructure that enables us to work, raise |
| visitors thus maximizing on our investments. | | | | our families, and educate our children. Our |
| Bringing millions and millions of visitors to | | | | land use supports our quality of life while |
| our Delaware Beach area affects not only our | | | | protecting the environment. Community |
| economy but also our transportation system, | | | | infrastructures attract tourists as well as |
| our water system and our natural environment. | | | | high quality visitors, retirees and |
| Studies show that different types of visitors | | | | entrepreneurs. Our region will foster |
| have different impacts. For example, visitors | | | | sustainable development that meets the needs |
| who attend an arts event typically stay | | | | of present generations without impairing |
| longer and spend more money.Tourism is | | | | future generations' ability to meet their own |
| evolving. Our Bed and Breakfast | | | | needs. A strong economy is essential to good |
| establishments for instance are a major | | | | land use planning and infrastructure |
| factor in bicycle tourism, bird watching and | | | | provision. A respect for the environment |
| corporate and executive think-tank retreats. | | | | helps maximize the use of land and |
| We are developing different types of visitors | | | | infrastructure.Involved neighborhoods are |
| to our area while maintaining our lifestyle, | | | | essential for a thriving community. Smart |
| economic vitality, and environmental quality. | | | | land use and high quality infrastructure are |
| Emphasizing outdoor recreation, clean air, | | | | essential if we are to achieve our vision of |
| wide-open spaces and beautiful scenery, we | | | | a robust economy, world-class education, and |
| can attract "eco-friendly" visitors. Camping, | | | | a safe community. We are expanding rapidly as |
| for instance, is a large and growing | | | | more and more people arrive here for short, |
| eco-tourism feature where thousands of our | | | | medium or permanent residential and business |
| campsites host those who enjoy the area and | | | | life. As our Quality of Life is what most |
| often stay right at the camp most of the | | | | people come here to enjoy; part time or full |
| time. Canoeing and kayaking, sea kayaking, | | | | time. ENJOY!Copyright 2000-2005 by Hudson |
| the kite festival, jet skis and other | | | | is a Realtor of 35 years professional |
| personal watercraft as well as boating, | | | | experience and a lifetime in America and |
| fishing, sailing and that most usual of all | | | | Delaware. |