Several area organizations received grants from the State of Delaware Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF). These grants are for community redevelopment, revitalization and investment capital projects designed to improve the economic, culture, historical and recreational health of Delaware communities.
“I was happy to hear we were awarded $100,000 from the Community Investment Fund,” Amy Waltz, Executive Director of the Milford Senior Center, said. “The funding will be used renovate approximately 2000 square feet of space, previously occupied by a tenant, to relocate and expand our fitness center and add two additional activity room for scheduling member activities and events.”
According to Waltz, membership has increased 37% in the past two years, which has increased daily attendance at center activities and the fitness center. Currently, the center can schedule six special activities or events each month, however, with the increased space they will have a room that will be used exclusively for these types of activities and will increase the number of informational services we can host.”
Frederica Senior Center was also a recipient of a $35,000 grant from the fund.
“We are extremely grateful to have been awarded the CRF grant for this upcoming cycle. We are using the opportunity to renew our outdated kitchen for better productivity and to help facilitate our free breakfast initiative,” Kristine Langley, Executive Director, said. “Daily, we offer all our members a free, hot breakfast and low-cost lunches. It is important to take care of our aging population, as food insecurity is prevalent with those on a fixed income. Wea re also looking to expand our current food pantry that we offer our members to a larger room to be able to open it to the public and help those in our community. The rest of the funds will be spent on minor repairs and upgrades needed due to normal wear and tear.”
Sussex Land Trust received around $225,000 in CRF funds with $90,962 to be used for the Forest of the Broadkill Preserve in Milton.
“The Forest of the Broadkill is a 294-acre property located near Milton, acquired in 2023 through a partnership between the Trust and Sussex County Council to protect open space, water resources and provide public recreation opportunities,” Sara Bluhm, Executive Director, said. “The property features a diverse landscape of fields, hardwood forests and wetlands within the headwaters of the Broadkill River.”
The funds will be used to construct a road that will allow safe public access to the property, installation of automatic entrance gates, trail upgrades to create an accessible and sustainable trail system and the development of a designated parking area. The upgrades are necessary to provide passive recreation to the public to use for hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching and nature study while protecting the environmental integrity of the site.”
The Trust was also awarded $125,000 for Ickford Park for master planning along with historic preservation and $10,000 for Nanticoke Crossing Park for a kayak launch.
“Our funding supports a public restroom at our Parks & Recreation facility. Currently, the facility has an outdoor playground for children ages 2 to 12, but it has no restroom facility,” Doug Poore, Economic Development and Community Events Coordinator for the City of Harrington, who was awarded $50,000, said. “These funds will allow for the renovations of an existing room inside the Parks & Recreation facility to function as a public restroom for those using the playground. It will be a single stall restroom with changing table and handicap accessibility.”
Poore explained that the restroom was the next step in expanding Parks and Recreation facilities in Harrington. Phase 2 of the program includes adding three outdoor pickleball courts, one outdoor basketball court, an expanded playground, a covered pavilion, gravel walking trails and expanded parking.
Not everyone who applied for grant funding from CRF received the full amount of their request and some were not awarded any funding.
“Everyone knew it was going to be a “down” year for redevelopment fund requests, so we’re really appreciative and thankful that our legislators came through with more than $47,000 to help with the museum project,” Tom Summers, Executive Director of the Milford Museum said. “This funding will go toward numerous interior changes that need to take place to bring the building up to current building codes. This will include the installation of new insulation and a new sprinkler system.”
Abbott’s Mill requested $80,000 in CRF funding but was awarded only $40,000. The funding was to be used for a new 20’x12’ tool/equipment storage shed with electricity for lighting and workspace use as well as to store hazardous material like fuel and herbicides in a safe manner. They also planned to replace the footbridge across Johnson Branch, renovate an historic barn to be used for an indoor learning environment that can be used during inclement weather.
“We received $40,000,” Mike Valenti, Outreach and Site Director, said. “We probably can complete two of these projects and would need to seek other funding sources for the third.”
Other local organizations receiving funds were the Calliope Project for the Milton Theatre Renaissance Initiative Education Center in the amount of $100,000; Kent-Sussex Industries for their Skill Development Center in the amount of $75,000; Milford Public Library for renovations and refurbishment projects in the amount of $22,154; Milford Housing Development Corporation for affordable housing solutions in south Milford in the amount of $100,000; Milford Little League for T-Ball renovations in the amount of $123,077; and Milford Historical Society for capital improvements for Parson Thorne Mansion in the amount of $25,000.
