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Cottage construction co. takes people to the great outdoors
            W       ithout a doubt, the Delmarva Peninsula is a  They found Sussex to be an economical option for their

                    beautiful place to visit. Much of Sussex County’s  growth,  from  a  strong  labor  force  to  support  from  the
                    growth  over  the  decades has  come  down to  Office of Economic Development.
            finding beds for everyone here. The housing market climbs
                                                              Railroad flanks the Delaware Coastal Business Park, which
            ever upward, and hotels are jammed all summer long. So
                                                              could help with future shipping options. Until then, the
            what about — cottages?
                                                              proximity to U.S. Route 113 makes for swift access to the
            One of the county’s newest manufacturers creates small,   Atlantic seaboard highways. Plus, the company was eligible
            home-like units for vacationers to experience the region.   for several grant opportunities, including job-creation
            The  Great  Outdoor  Cottages  company  builds  and  ships
                                                              incentives.
            fully  furnished  little houses  for  campgrounds  and  resort
                                                              Sussex County is centrally located to much of the Atlantic
            industries. The cheerful multi-room cabins are a home base
                                                              Coast, from Maine to the Carolinas to Tennessee, where
            for people vacationing a little closer to nature.
                                                              vacationers enjoy (non-primitive) campgrounds, RV parks
            The classic cottage is about 400 square feet, yet
                                                              and more.
            comprehensive: master bedroom, bath, kitchenette, living
            area and second small bedroom. Each unit is fully built and  Demand  has  increased,  and  the  company  continued  to
            furnished on-site (which means an impressive storage and  brainstorm new ideas: imagine a new floating unit for
            logistics operation just for the appliances and furniture).  marinas, a double-decker unit with a spiral staircase and
                                                              second  floor  terrace,  or  a  lofted  unit  with  extra  space
            In fact, the company constructed its own permanent home:
                                                              for  sleeping  or  storage.  There  is  always  room  for  more
            a 47,000 square-foot warehouse at Delaware Coastal
                                                              innovation.
            Business Park, and they were immediately planning an
            18,000 square-foot addition after that. But they’ve been at  Great Outdoor Cottages is also expanding into the retail
            work for longer; while perfecting the Georgetown site, they  market, so the everyday person could purchase a cabin
            built  the  first  300-plus  cottages  while  leasing  industrial   from a dealer. In fact, these small houses have uses beyond
            space in Millsboro, and production has only ramped up   camping or leisure. As cities brainstorm options to increase
            since moving into the Georgetown plant.           affordable permanent housing, Great Outdoor Cottages
            The company is a 2020 partnership between a Lancaster-  has been part of the conversation, and could be part of the
            area construction expert and Ocean City-area developer.  solution.



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