Governor takes steps to restructure economic development efforts, create jobs

Gov. John Carney held a signing ceremony Aug. 14 for House Bill 226, a major piece of legislation that restructures Delaware's economic development efforts, with a focus on supporting Delaware small businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Carney also signed incorporation paperwork creating the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, a public-private partnership that will leverage private-sector resources to enhance business recruitment, promote entrepreneurship and innovation, support workforce development efforts, and produce forward-looking analyses on economic trends to best position Delaware's economy to grow.

Legislation restructuring Delaware's economic development efforts, and authorizing creation of the partnership, was sponsored by Rep. Bryon Short, R-Seaford; Sen. Jack Walsh, D-Stanton; Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; and Rep. Lyndon Yearick, R-Dover South.

The ceremony was held at the Delaware Innovation Space at the DuPont Experimental Station research campus in Alapocas.

"By restructuring our economic development efforts, we're positioning Delaware to create good-paying jobs, build an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and ensure that Delaware remains a leading state to do business," said Carney. "We will partner with private business to draw on new resources and ideas for improving our economy. And we will offer new, targeted support for small businesses and entrepreneurs who are responsible for much of our economic growth and job creation. Thank you to members of the General Assembly and members of our Economic Development Working Group for their leadership on this important issue."

On Jan. 18, his first full day in office, Carney signed Executive Order No. 1 to create the Economic Development Working Group and explore a new economic development strategy. He worked closely with members of the General Assembly to approve the concept and funding for the public-private entity, as well as a new division at the Department of State to oversee responsibilities for small business development and tourism.

Carney's plan to fundamentally restructure Delaware's economic development efforts includes two significant elements: creation of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership to partner with private business to improve how Delaware attracts new business and job growth, and creation of a new Division of Small Business, Development and Tourism within state government to offer targeted support for small business owners, entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses.

Carney will co-chair the board of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, which will be run day-to-day by a chief executive officer and a full-time staff. The partnership will lead business marketing efforts for the state, with a focus on attracting early-stage and technology-focused businesses, recruitment of large employers, and expansion of international business opportunities for Delaware companies. Its leaders also will work with employers and Delaware educators to fill key talent gaps in the state, and conduct forward-looking economic analyses to inform its work. The state will jointly fund the partnership's operations with private business.

Delaware's new Division of Small Business, Development and Tourism will provide guidance to small business owners on how to navigate local, state and federal laws and regulations. The division will help small businesses identify resources such as local incubator programs, financing and networking events. It also will improve the state's outreach to women and minority entrepreneurs and veteran-owned businesses. Division leaders will oversee Delaware's taxpayer-funded incentive programs for job creation.

Restructuring the state's economic development efforts, and partnering strategically with the private sector, was a recommendation of the Governor's Action Plan For Delaware and of the Economic Development Working Group, a panel chaired by Dr. Mark Brainard, president of Delaware Technical Community College, and Rod Ward, president and CEO of CSC.

"It has been an honor to work with Rod and so many leaders throughout our state to deliver on the governor's first priority - creating an economic development model that will position our state to meet the challenges that lie ahead," said Brainard. "Gov. Carney's vision, combined with his leadership in getting this legislation passed, lays the foundation for continued success in keeping, adding and creating new jobs in the future."