At a recent meeting, Milford City Council heard an update from Emery Hill on potential tenants for the Milford Corporate Center under construction at the corner of Milford Harrington Highway and Canterbury Road. Neil Killian and Ann Bailey provided council with information on parties who have expressed interest in the center as well as how the company was marketing the project.
At a previous meeting, City Planner Rob Pierce told council that there was a letter of interest that planning needed to review for a company interested in the corporate center. No mention was made at this meeting of who that company may be. The city also made it clear in a recent press release that no data centers have been proposed for the corporate center and that even if one was, the infrastructure is not available to support a data center in that area.
“As real estate professionals, we are a marketing machine,” Killian said. “It is more than just putting a sign on the property. These days we do a lot of digital an d online marketing and we’re very active In the community. We’re targeting businesses, the brokerage community, site selectors, end users, really anyone who would have an interest in coming to Milford and having the ability to build as well as occupy the corporate center.”
Killian explained that Emery Hill had been working closely with Pierce and Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Lauren Swain as well as other economic development professionals throughout the state. One new method for promoting the center that Emery Hill used recently was a digital billboard on Route 1 to get additional exposure.
“Because a lot of our marketing is digital, we are able to track who is clicking, who is viewing, who is engaging with us to actually view the corporate center,” Killian said. “One portal we use often had 25,000 engagements while another had 22,000. These are common portals for those who are looking at development opportunities and places to locate businesses.”
Councilman Dan Marabello asked if those who are viewing the information are coming back more than once, and Killian explained that they were. He also stated that those who viewed more often were more likely to reach out to Emery Hill about the project. Councilman Jason James noted that several higher education outlets had looked at the corporate center, questioning what their interest would be in locating in the corporate center.
“I suspect that because these are web-based platforms, some of these higher education institutions are doing research, so I am not sure if they are actual folks who would e looking to locate there,” Kilian said. “I can’t say for sure because we are not given that granular level of contact information to know who exactly that was or why.”
James asked if there was a specific target audience for the marketing program and Killian stated that there was
“We target industrial, which would include distribution, warehousing, logistics,” Killian said. “In fact, tomorrow, we will be presenting at the corporate center in Bethlehem for the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. That will be about 300 area developers, so we’re targeting that development community because a lot of them bring those users with them.”
Killian explained that they have provided information about the corporate center to medical companies as well as warehouse distribution users. James asked if there had been any physical visits to the site and Killian stated that there had been.
“For this council person, I can’t speak for all of council, but we are really, really counting on you and your firm to be as aggressive as possible,” James said. “We have a vision, and we have a heavy financial investment to get this park up and running, be successful. WE know it takes time, but we’re really counting on your firm to be aggressive in your approach.”
Killian thanked council for their confidence in the firm.
“I agree with everything you just said, Mr. James, and my thinking is we have to put policies in place to be sure those who want to locate in the corporate center are going to make a difference,” Councilwoman Katrina Wilson said. “We want quotes in place to make sure they make an impact in our town. I know that a business may have a large building, but they might not employ many people. When we did other business sparks, we put standards in place to make sure they were aware of those standards when they submitted inquiries.”
Killian stated that there were no quotes in place as of yet and they were willing to talk to all interested parties. He was aware that when grant funding was received, there were some expectations for employment and that he did feel that would be achieved at the center.
“That’s really good to know and that you will keep in mind,” Wilson said. “This is our future and we’re trying to make it so our children want to come back to Milford, and our grandchildren want to come back to Milford and that there will be jobs here for them.”
Councilman Danny Perez asked if those who had visited the park had been able to visit other areas of Milford.
“Most of the visits we have had have been people just visiting the center,” Killian said. “But, no, we are not touring other sites in Milford when we’re talking to those who are specifically interested in the corporate center.”
Councilman Dan Marabello asked if questions had arisen regarding adequate workforce housing or the school system. Killian stated that those topics have not come up.
“I think you know this is probably one of the most important projects that past council and this council will work on” Mayor Todd Culotta said. “Economic growth in Milford is vital to continued improvement of our town, so I really want us to focus on this and the benefits to growth.”
City Manager Chris Coleman pointed out that when Swain talked to those who wished to bring businesses to Milford, she focused on the corporate center. He also stated that he and his staff were willing to take prospective tenants on tours of the town if they were interested.
“Personally speaking, we have an excellent hospital campus at Bayhealth,” Perez said. “That whole area is adjacent to Route 1 so obviously that is very attractive. I know there are other facilities. I would definitely like to see us incorporate all that because Milford is small, but it has a few unique things to offer prospective buyers.
Councilwoman Nina Pletcher asked how much longer the digital sign would be up.
“I believe we are finishing up at the end of this month,” Killian said. “We were trying to capitalize on that peak traffic during the summer months.”
Pletcher also pointed out that focusing on job growth may not be the best way to market the center.
“With AI coming, the challenge is going to be, we can put a manufacturing company out there, but with AI, we have a challenge with how many people are actually going to come with that,” Pletcher said “But a business with fewer employees still pays the rent, still pays for the property. We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the property owner is buying the property, and we need to sell. We need to sell lots. I don’t want employment numbers to get in the way of us selling lots because they only have five employees. We may not have a choice.”
