$3.43 million for eight projects to leverage almost $22 million in private investment

Dover, Del. September 10, 2026 – The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) has awarded $3.43 million in funding reservations to eight large revitalization projects in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown and Smyrna through Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts (DDD) rebate program.

The reservations will spur revitalization of commercial, mixed-use and residential buildings, both through new construction and rehabilitation work. Every one dollar in state DDD investments leverages nearly $15 in private investment.

“Strong downtowns are the heartbeat of strong communities,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “The Downtown Development District program is helping turn vacant and underused properties into places where families can live, businesses can grow, and communities can thrive — all while attracting millions in private investment across Delaware.”

The DDD Large Project Reservation Application process is a competitive one, with applications awarded based on criteria and priority as outlined in the program guidelines. The reservation is a guarantee of funding availability only, and the final rebate will be determined at the completion of the investment project and submission of the final rebate application.

This year’s project investors and reservation awards are:

Since the inception of the DDD program in 2014, 495 residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects have been completed, with $47.4 million in state funds leveraging $693 million in private investment.

“This is a great deal for the state. These investments benefit our residents and the neighborhoods in which they live, by making possible projects that create new homes, new businesses, more jobs, historic preservation, and community revitalization throughout Delaware,” said DSHA Director Matthew Heckles. “We look forward to working with three more designated downtowns and are thankful for the state appropriations and private investments that make this program successful.”

In January, Gov. Meyer signed Executive Order No. 16, expanding the number of DDDs from 12 to the full allowable 15. The Office of State Planning Coordination oversees that application process and will work with the Cabinet Committee on State Planning Issues to develop recommendations for the Governor’s Office.

The 12 existing districts are Dover, Wilmington, Seaford, Georgetown, Harrington, Laurel, Milford, Smyrna, City of New Castle, Clayton, Delaware City, and Middletown. Last year, Dover, Seaford and Wilmington became the first districts to receive five-year renewals.

Roughly $66,000 remaining from this year’s $3.5 million funding round will be transferred to the DDD small-project set-aside for the remainder of the funding cycle. Small-project applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all available funding has been allocated.

For more information on the DDD Rebate program, visit https://www.destatehousing.com/build/ddd-program/.

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