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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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