Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript – Continued Focus on Job Growth and Strengthening the Economy

The dedication of the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital here in Middletown is an important step toward have more high quality and cost-effective health care options. For many Delawareans recovering from serious injury and illness, including stroke and brain injury, it will mean an appropriate and convenient setting to get the treatment they need. But this hospital won’t only be important to patients. Health care is one of the most reliable growth industries and HealthSouth is more evidence of the progress we’re making to strengthen our economy.

We still have more work ahead to ensure a good job is available for every Delawarean who wants one, but our job growth continues to outpace the national average and we should be optimistic about the future. Ninety construction jobs were involved in building the facility and HealthSouth will support 80 jobs on day one. Not far from here, Amazon is looking to hire thousands of Delawareans at its Middletown facility. In Wilmington, the financial sector continues to provide opportunities in high-skill positions like data analytics. And more activity is being created by companies like Uzin Utz, the flooring company that is building a manufacturing plant in Kent County, and Allen Harim, which plans to employ hundreds of people at a Millsboro poultry facility.

We’re proud that Delaware was rated one of the top two states best positioned for the new economy. To keep our momentum, we must remain focused on the key drivers of economic prosperity: things like a skilled and talented workforce, a good business environment in the state, and opportunities for Delaware’s employers to tap into markets around the world. Through all of these efforts, will create more job opportunities, strengthen our quality of life, and keep Delaware moving forward.