Gov. Jack Markell attends grand opening of company’s new headquarters in Newark

NEWARK, Del. –   Independent, family-owned Natural Dairy Products Corporation found the perfect match in Newark for its relocated headquarters and gold-standard quality dairy operation, where it will make and distribute its organic, grass-fed dairy products.

That feeling of synergy was mutual on Friday, as Gov. Jack Markell, Bernice Whaley, deputy director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, and other state and local officials welcomed the company in its move from Avondale, Pa., to Newark. The award-winning dairy business brings 19 jobs to Delaware and intends to grow in the First State.

According to Gov. Markell, Natural Dairy Products founder and President Ned MacArthur and his company embody the spirit of innovation and start-ups that are quickly becoming the hallmark of the First State. In 1994, MacArthur left behind the frustrations of trying to sell organic milk as a farmer and, along with his father, Norman, developed a system that propelled Natural Dairy Products to success.

“When Ned hit a wall in the farming business, he innovated and started his own company. And over the course of two decades, Ned continued to innovate and find new ways to make Natural Dairy Products more successful,” Gov. Markell said. “While small in stature, businesses like Natural Dairy Products form the sturdy foundation of Delaware’s economy. Natural Dairy Products has plans to grow here, and we intend to help the company achieve that goal.”

The company’s product line, Natural by Nature, includes butter, milk, yogurt, buttermilk, cream and other goods made with milk from 22 certified organic dairy farms in Pennsylvania. Its new 30,000-square-foot dairy facility, tucked away off Markus Court near the intersection of Otts Chapel Road and Elkton Road, has been outfitted to pull these products under one roof.

MacArthur said that the proximity of Newark to its former headquarters in Avondale was a key factor in the company’s choice of Delaware. But it was the assistance of state and local officials that tipped the scale in favor of Newark.

“The State of Delaware has made this transition seamless. We couldn’t have asked for anything more in terms of logistical and financial assistance,” MacArthur said. “We’re proud to call Newark home, and we’re excited at the prospect of future growth in Delaware.”

Natural Dairy Products was approved for a $140,169 Delaware Strategic Fund performance grant for the creation of 19 jobs, as well as a $134,831 capital expenditure grant.

Whaley said Natural Dairy Products was attractive to state officials not only because of its ongoing growth and success but also because of its commitment to high standards for efficiency, quality and cleanliness.

“Natural Dairy Products has secured an impressive amount of certifications for both efficiency and cleanliness for its new facility,” Whaley said. “Based on their investment in this new building, and their plans for the future of the company in Newark, we know that they are dedicated to Delaware.”

About the Delaware Economic Development Office
The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.

About Natural Dairy Products Corporation
Natural Dairy Products Corporation is the producer of Natural By Nature organic, grass-fed, dairy products. The company was founded in 1994 by Ned MacArthur and his father, Norman. Natural Dairy Products recently relocated its headquarters and operations from Avondale, Pa., to Newark, where it will make products such as fluid milk, heavy cream, buttermilk, butter and yogurt in a new 30,000-square-foot facility. Visit www.natural-by-nature.com.

Contacts:
Delaware Economic Development Office:
Peter Bothum
Office: 302-672-6857
Cell: 302-632-6665
peter.bothum@delaware.gov

Natural Dairy Products Corporation:
Dawn Fenstermacher
302-455-1261 x222
ndpc@kennett.net

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Dover – Delaware Office of Highway Safety officials are pleased to announce an increase Delaware’s statewide seat belt use rate.   Results from observational seat belt surveys conducted in June have revealed that the state’s 2013 statewide usage rate is 92%.    This is a significant increase from the 2012 statewide seat belt use rate of 88%.  The national 2012 seat belt use rate is 86%.

County seat belt rates have also increased. Kent County saw the highest increase from 79% in 2012 to 92% this year, New Castle County seat belt rate is now 90% compared to 87% in 2012 and Sussex County increased from 90% in 2012 to 93% for 2013.

“We are extremely happy with this increase in the state’s seat belt use rate particularly since we, in partnership with law enforcement statewide, and our partners in the healthcare, public safety and corporate communities, have worked so hard each year to keep increasing our usage rate,” said Jana Simpler, Director for the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.  “Higher seat belt use rates generally translate into more lives saved and that is always our ultimate goal.”

Sadly, the overall increase in seat belt use is not being reflected in this year’s fatal crash statics.  Since January 1^st of this year, of the 41 drivers and passengers killed in Delaware motor vehicle crashes, 20 (or 49%) of them were not wearing seat belts.  Unfortunately, these deaths typically involve other risky behaviors, including aggressive and impaired driving. Comparatively, at this time in 2012, 20 (or 43%) of the then 47 drivers and passengers killed were not wearing seat belts.

“While our surveys show more Delawareans are buckling up, nearly half of those killed on Delaware roadways this year were not. We are encouraging drivers to wear their seat belts for every trip and to make certain their passengers are belted too. Buckle up, not only for yourself, but also for your loved ones.  It’s an easy habit to adopt,” Lewis D. Schiliro, Secretary of Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Delaware is one of only 16 states to have a primary seat belt law requiring drivers and all passengers, including those in the back seat, to wear a seat belt. An officer can pull over a driver if he sees any person not wearing a seat belt.  The seat belt ticket in Delaware with fine and fees is $86.50 and is issued to the driver no matter who is unbuckled in the vehicle.

Get the facts:

• Did you know that 45% of all occupant fatalities in Delaware last year were individuals not wearing a seat belt and that fewer than 1/3 of Delaware’s unrestrained fatals occur during the daytime.
• Wearing a seat belt decreases your risk of being seriously injured or killed in a crash by approximately 50%.
• Hospital data shows that unbelted occupants in crashes are 3 times more likely to require a hospital stay. On average, hospital costs for an unbelted crash victim are 55% higher than those for a belted crash victim.
• Strong seat belt laws protect families.  When parents are buckled up, 90% of the time their children are too.

For more information on Click It or Ticket enforcement results and a look at updated campaign materials, please visit www.ohs.delaware.gov, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE or follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe .

Intro Pairs With National Teen Driver Safety Week & National Call to Share Expectations for Teens and Parents for Driving

Dover – The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announces the launch of an extension to The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program (PSDP), a new mobile app titled RoadReady. The app, sponsored by Ford Motor Company, is designed to augment the award-winning PSDP in its mission to prevent one of the major causes of death and injury for teens on the road. RoadReady’s availability in the App Store coincides with National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 20-26, which this year focuses on the theme that “It Takes Two: Shared Expectations for Teens and Parents for Driving.”

“We are arming Delaware parents and teens with a technologically-advanced, free toolkit to encourage their participation in the teen driver education process,” said Governor Jack Markell. “Not only are we providing parents of permitted teens with a guide to assist them through the state required 50 hours of supervised driving, but the RoadReady mobile app will help parents to track the actual time they spent behind the wheel with their teen.”

“As parents and teens work together through this process, it is the state’s hope that The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program and its mobile app component will help make our young people RoadReady,” stated DMV Director Jennifer Cohan. “Studies show that parents have a tendency to inaccurately judge the amount of time they spend with their teen driving.  The more time parents spend, the safer the teen is when they drive independently. RoadReady eliminates the question of overestimated time and allows parents and teens to focus on driving skills, roadway conditions and enhanced experiences, while the app automatically and accurately tracks their time together”, she added.

The printed guide for the Parent’s Supervised Driving Program first became available in Delaware this August. Now, the new RoadReady app supplements the program, offering parents and teens an easy, compelling means to track their driving experience together. The app is currently available on the App Store and will be made available to Android users in early 2014 at no charge thanks to support from Ford Motor Company which has demonstrated an avid commitment to teen driver safety.

“The skills outlined in this guide and app are meant to help teens learn to be better drivers. It is one of the ways Ford works to help teens,” said Steve Kenner, Global Director of Ford’s Automotive Safety Office.  “In addition to this program, Ford also offers Driving Skills for Life, which gives teens advanced real world training. Ford also offers MyKey technology, which gives parents options to help encourage safe driving behaviors even when the parents aren’t in the car.”

Beyond the educational features highlighted throughout RoadReady, such as the “Parental Pointers,” tips and suggestions to assist parents throughout the supervised driving process, the app tracks roadway types and weather conditions to encourage parents and teens to spend more time driving together in a variety of conditions. At any time throughout the supervised driving process, parents and teens can also export a printable driving log with a list of all of their supervised driving sessions. This log can be delivered to the teens Driver Education instructor in compliance with Delaware’s GDL driving log requirements. Additionally, RoadReady users may opt to share their drives with friends and family on their social networks to spread the word of their safe driving habits.

“We are excited about the RoadReady addition to our state–of–the art program,” stated Jeff Larson, President of Safe Roads Alliance, who worked in partnership with the Delaware DMV to develop the program for the state. “We are continuously working to improve parents and teens supervised driving experiences and think RoadReady is an invaluable step in the right direction.”

The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program focuses on the role of the parent in the teen driver education process. The program offers an enhanced supervised driving experience and even encourages parents and guardians to extend the supervised driving period beyond the state requirement. The program is available to parents and teens on multiple platforms, beginning with the printed curriculum that is distributed at DMV offices when the teen receives their learner’s permit

For media resources on the program, visit www.theparentssuperviseddrivingprogram.com/media

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About Safe Roads Alliance
Safe Roads Alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving highway safety by improving driver education with particular emphasis on behind-the-wheel training.

St. Georges – Former Delaware Governor and United States Congressman Michael Castle was the honored guest today as Governor Jack A. Markell joined U.S. Senator Chris Coons, U.S. Congressman John Carney, Deputy Secretary Nicole Majeski, Department of Transportation (DelDOT), and Secretary Collin O’Mara, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) in cutting the ribbon on the new Michael N. Castle Trail on the north bank of the C&D Canal.

The approximately $6 million Michael N. Castle Trail, which is part of Governor Markell’s First State Trails and Pathways Initiative, currently stretches nearly nine miles from the southern end of the Branch Canal west to the Summit Bridge. This scenic stretch along the canal bank is a multi-use pathway designed to accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, anglers and equestrians, and will be managed by DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife as part of the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Mike Castle served Delaware for nearly 40 years as a state legislator, lieutenant governor, governor, and U.S. Congressman. While Castle was Governor, the trail was envisioned by the trail user community. Later, while serving in Congress, Castle helped initiate the trail project in 2004, when a group of constituents spoke with him on better ways to utilize the area around the canal. The project was approved and construction of the trail started in mid-2012. When the remaining phases of the Castle Trail are completed, the pathway will extend a full 16 miles from Delaware City to Chesapeake City, Maryland.

“Each time we open a new trail, we are a step closer to our vision of a statewide trails network that will allow residents and visitors to see Delaware’s natural beauty up close, connect local businesses with new visitors, and link our communities,” said Governor Markell. “As a cyclist, I look forward to adding the Michael N. Castle Trail to my list of favorite places to ride.”

“Mike Castle saw the great potential for the C&D Canal to become a destination for families and nature-lovers in Delaware,” U.S. Senator Coons said. “With the completion of the initial phase of the Michael N. Castle Trail, more Delawareans can safely enjoy the outdoor beauty and scenic landscape the canal has to offer. I am thrilled to mark this milestone in the trail’s construction and look forward to seeing future phases completed.”

“I’m very pleased that after many years of planning and construction, the Mike Castle C&D Canal Trail is finally open to the public,” said U.S. Congressman Carney.  “This is a beautiful area of our state, and the trail will allow more Delawareans to appreciate it while walking, biking, and enjoying a healthy, active lifestyle.  I’m also happy for my predecessor in Congress, Mike Castle.  It’s fitting that the trail be named for someone who spent so much time and effort working, along with his state director, Jeff Dayton, to help create it.  I want to wish him congratulations and thank him for his tremendous work.”

“Congressman Castle left a remarkable legacy during four decades of service to the First State.  We honor his legacy with a trail that will forever bear his name. He has left Delaware a better place,” said DelDOT Deputy Secretary Nicole Majeski.

“Opening this new trail will help support tourism, connect communities, get people outside and help improve their quality of life through healthy activity and enjoyment of nature,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara. “In addition to advancing our plans for a statewide network of trails, the Michael N. Castle Trail also supports Delaware’s Bayshore Initiative in its goal to enhance low-impact outdoor recreation and ecotourism opportunities.”

U.S. Senator Tom Carper, who stopped by the trail earlier in the day said, “This trail – which has been years in the making – is a testament to the vision and hard work Congressman Castle had for outdoor recreation in Delaware. We’ve long waited for this day – a day that bikers, runners, and walkers can enjoy the scenic views along this trail – and I am confident that it will become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.”

Construction began in September on the next phase of the Castle Trail, the 0.9-mile Branch Canal Pedestrian and Bicyclist Path. When completed in late 2014, the approximately $1.4 million Branch Canal component will connect the main part of the Castle Trail along the north side of the C&D Canal with Delaware City’s Canalfront Promenade. In addition to DelDOT and DNREC, partners involved in this phase also include the New Castle Conservation District and the City of Delaware City.

Governor Markell’s First State Trails and Pathways Initiative creates a statewide network of new and enhanced trails and pathways for residents and visitors to enjoy walking, biking, hiking and active living. The initiative has far-reaching advantages – boosting Delaware’s economy, benefitting local businesses and promoting the continued growth of the state’s recreation and tourism industries. By offering people a place to walk, run, or ride, trails and pathways allow them to connect with the outdoors and encourages healthier, more active lifestyles as well as offering more choices for active transportation.

First State Trails and Pathways Initiative is a partnership led by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control with regional and local organization and government partners.

 For more information, please visit www.trails.delaware.gov.

(Wilmington, DE) In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights recent progress to support continued job growth in Delaware, while acknowledging there is still more work to be done.

“We’ve worked hard to put Delaware back on sound footing after the worst recession in 80 years, but we still have a lot of work ahead to grow our economy in a challenging climate,” said Governor Markell. “To keep making progress, our economic plan includes training a workforce with the skills to fill in demand jobs, encouraging manufacturing, supporting entrepreneurs, and building on our state’s key industries, from agriculture to finance. My Administration remains open to ideas that continue to improve our economy and, no matter the challenges, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every Friday, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/hAVvSmn3Gc4
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
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Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Growing Our Economy Through Changing Times