June 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to July!

As we approach Independence Day tomorrow, I want to wish everyone a safe and joyful celebration of our country’s freedom. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks for the incredible support and generosity shown at my 3rd Annual Pig Roast. In this newsletter, I’ll share some highlights from June and my ongoing work serving you as your Sussex County Commissioner.

Strengthening the Planning Department

Back in March 2024, I highlighted the critical role of our County Planning Department—not only in Farmland and Open Space Preservation, but also in key areas like road and bridge projects, wastewater management, development review, and transportation planning.

To better support this important work, I proposed adjusting the salaries for several key vacant positions within the Planning Department—including roles tied to farmland preservation and long-term land use planning. With support from my fellow commissioners, we approved competitive salary increases bringing them in line with comparable roles across the state and nearby counties. These adjustments were funded through the Farmland and Open Space Trust Fund, ensuring no additional burden on the County’s operating budget.

I’m proud to report that these positions have now been successfully filled, with one final hire in progress. The department has also brought on an intern to support daily operations. This marks a significant step forward, bringing the Planning Department closer than it’s been in years to being fully staffed and well-equipped to serve Sussex County efficiently.

4 Season of Agriculture Update

Thanks to the recent staffing progress within our Planning Department, we were able to kick off the long-overdue effort to update and revitalize the Four Seasons of Agriculture initiative. In June, I joined a meeting to begin laying the groundwork for this refresh.

For those unfamiliar with the program, Four Seasons of Agriculture is a promotional endeavor that highlights Sussex County’s farms, breweries, vineyards, and agritourism businesses throughout the year. It’s been quite some time since the content—or its marketing and technology—had received an update.

The first step in this process is to connect with local farms and agribusinesses to gather the most current information. That outreach will take place throughout the summer, and once collected, the data will be used to build a modern, user-friendly online platform that better promotes all our county has to offer, year-round. This update aims not only to improve access to information but also to boost agritourism and support our local economy. I’ll keep you updated on the progress as we move forward and share opportunities for community involvement along the way.

Thank you: 3rd Annual Pig Roast!

I want to sincerely thank everyone who joined me for my 3rd Annual Pig Roast. The event’s success was made possible by your incredible support, and from the bottom of my heart, I am truly grateful. Because of your generosity and belief in our shared goals, I am able to make a meaningful impact across several key areas—including advancing educational opportunities at our community college and technical school, strengthening services for our senior citizens, and supporting the growth and sustainability of our agricultural sector. Your involvement empowers me to work harder every day for the betterment of Sussex County and its residents.

I can’t say enough how much of a blessing it is to serve as a Sussex County Commissioner. It’s a privilege I hold with deep gratitude, respect, and a strong sense of responsibility. Once again, I’m especially grateful for the generosity and support shown for my 3rd Annual Pig Roast.

I remain fully committed to working tirelessly for the betterment of Sussex County and look forward to seeing many of you soon in my travels.

Sincerely,

Jack DeGroot