Sussex Realtors, legislators exchange views in Georgetown

The Sussex County Association of Realtors welcomed nearly all of Sussex County’s state legislators to its Georgetown-area headquarters March 7 for breakfast and a chance to discuss important issues facing Delaware’s southernmost county in 2014 and beyond.

As real estate is a driving force in any local economy, SCAOR holds a meeting each year with state lawmakers. This allows for dialogue between the state Legislature in Dover and a core group of constituents in the real estate industry.

“As Realtors, we were very happy to welcome our legislators to our facility, not only to discuss important issues with them, but also to thank them for all the hard work they do on behalf of all of us in Sussex County,” says Brad Riedle, 2014 SCAOR president. “We are fortunate to live in an area where we can have these kinds of relationships with our lawmakers, and vice versa.”

Topics discussed at the gathering included the state’s realty transfer tax, new septic and stormwater regulations, a possible new gas tax, new home buyer programs, small business fees, and the proposed Allen-Harim poultry facility in Millsboro.

The latter is a project largely supported by the state’s Realtor community, as well as by local chambers of commerce and other organizations.

“As the representative for the 41st District and someone who has helped spearhead the Allen-Harim proposal from the very beginning, I want to thank all of you for supporting what we know will be a crucial economic boost to our county,” says Rep. John Atkins, D-Millsboro. “This will bring 700 new jobs to our district at a time when jobs are much needed in Sussex County, and in Delaware. Your support really means a lot.”

The Sussex County Association of Realtors and realtors from across the United States support candidates on the local, state and national levels who work for issues and programs designed to protect the American dream of home ownership. This support is bipartisan and is doled out solely as it pertains to these issues.

This backing, financial and otherwise, goes to candidates who support protecting the mortgage interest deduction, programs aimed at keeping home ownership affordable and any other issues and legislation that are important to the well-being of the housing market.

“We realize all too well that the overall economy is tied to the strength of the local, state and national housing markets, and we want to support candidates who will work to protect this vital area of the economy,” says Riedle. “We are fortunate to have some great legislators here in Sussex County and throughout Delaware who feel the same way.”

To read more about issues related to Sussex County’s real estate industry, go to www.scaor.com.