Many Sussex County residents are understandably disappointed by the impression that Costco may not be coming to our area. For some, it represented convenience and affordability. For others, it raised concerns about traffic, infrastructure and location. Those views differ, but they are all rooted in a shared desire for a strong and livable community.
What is worth acknowledging now is that the Costco door has not necessarily closed.
Costco itself has not announced any decision to walk away from Sussex County. What failed was a specific proposal at a specific site. Sussex County Council was clear that its unanimous decision was based on inadequate existing and planned infrastructure to support a large regional shopping destination. The vote was about road capacity, congestion, emergency access and timing. It was not a rejection of economic development or national retailers.
That distinction matters because it points to a constructive way forward.
Sussex County has other viable locations for large-scale commercial development. In fact, at least one site has already been rezoned for heavy commercial use and is situated near roadway improvements designed to handle significant traffic volumes. These are exactly the types of locations that align with county planning goals and reduce impacts on nearby neighborhoods and back roads.
Residents who opposed the Atlantic Fields location were not opposing Costco itself. They were opposing placing a major regional destination where infrastructure was not ready. Likewise, residents who hoped for Costco were not dismissing safety or quality-of-life concerns. They were responding to real needs for retail choice and value.
Those goals do not conflict.
This moment offers an opportunity to lower the temperature and move forward together. Encouraging national retailers to consider sites that already meet zoning and infrastructure requirements benefits everyone. It allows economic development to proceed without sacrificing safety, mobility or the character of nearby communities.
The conversation can now shift from what did not work to what can. The Costco door remains open.
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