Our continued economic success is dependent on ensuring individuals and businesses can grow and thrive in safe and vibrant communities across our state. That was the motivation behind a proposal we unveiled this spring to create Downtown Development Districts in every county in the next few years. These designated areas would offer affordable residential, commercial, and industrial development, while using historic preservation tax credits and prioritizing state projects that will help revitalize and reinvigorate the communities.

To ensure this program gets off to a good start, we asked municipal officials and other community leaders to lend their insight and expertise. Their feedback is incorporated into the final application for cities and towns, which is now available online at stateplanning.delaware.gov/DDD. Applications are due by November 1st and the Office of State Planning stands ready to assist applicants with any questions they may have.

Through this program, we have the opportunity to generate a surge of cultural, real estate, and business activity that could jumpstart underdeveloped areas of our cities. Downtown Development Districts will spur private capital investment in commercial business districts, stimulate job growth, help build a stable community of long term residents by improving housing opportunities; and strengthen our neighborhoods.

By spurring economic activity in our downtowns, Delaware will attract more talented people, innovative small businesses and residents from all walks of life. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.

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