Program to expand to 15 designated Districts

Dover, Del. – Feb. 20, 2026 – With Governor Matt Meyer’s expansion of the Downtown Development District (DDD) Rebate Program last month from 12 districts to 15, the Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC) is now accepting applications from Delaware municipalities interested in being designated as a development district.

Those interested in applying for a new designation are required to participate in an in-person, pre-application meeting on Feb. 24, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Haslet Armory, Room 219, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd South, Dover, DE 19901.

Applications are due to OSPC by June 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Application forms and information about the program can be found at: 2026 Application Forms and Guidance – Delaware Downtown Development Districts Program – Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC) – State of Delaware.

Governor Meyer signed Executive Order #16 on Jan. 30, which certified the 2025 update to the Delaware Strategies for State Policies & Spending. The Order says, “Expanding designated districts from 12 to the full allowable 15 ensures that Qualified Real Property Investments (QRPI) to commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use buildings or facilities can be made in a greater number of municipalities to spur job growth, improve commercial vitality and build stable communities.”

The DDD program was created though legislation in 2014. Since its inception, through the 20% rebates and other targeted incentives, more than $47 million in state DDD funds have leveraged $693 million in private investment.

The 12 current districts are Clayton, Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown, Harrington, Laurel, Middletown, Milford, New Castle, Seaford, Smyrna, and Wilmington. District designations last for 10 years, and the Governor can consider up to two five-year renewals. Last year, Dover, Seaford, and Wilmington became the first districts to receive five-year renewals.

The Cabinet Committee on State Planning Issues will meet in August to consider the applications for new designations and develop recommendations to submit to Governor Meyer, who will designate the three new districts after that date.

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