High-growth Middletown area set for new county investments

As one Delaware area’s population continues growing, New Castle County officials are working to beef up some basic services. They’re also looking for input from residents.

The Middletown-Odessa-Townsend area in the southern part of the county is expected to nearly double its population in the next 20 years. After county officials spent a year reviewing services provided in the area, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer said it’s time to address some very important needs.

“We’re looking at expanding the library down there, we’re also looking at planning and farmland preservation, and we’re also looking at a paramedic station,” he said. “There’s a small little paramedic station, an old police station, and we’re looking at how to expand that.”

Such services are critical to a high-quality life, Meyer said, and the goal is to develop a comprehensive land-use plan for the area — despite fiscal challenges.

“Over the next three fiscal years, we’re looking at deficits over $50 million of expenditures over revenues. So yes, there are serious fiscal challenges,” he said. “But still, leadership is about finding a way to keep moving forward and keep providing necessary services in spite of the challenges.”

Meyer and his leadership team will host a community town hall meeting Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Odessa Fire Hall.