Delaware News


Weekly Message Transcript: Creating Opportunity and Improving Quality of Life by Investing in Downtowns

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | News | Date Posted: Friday, March 18, 2016



We create opportunity for all Delawareans and improve quality of life when we invest in our downtowns. Individuals and businesses are increasingly attracted to work and live near urban centers, which play a crucial role in the economic and cultural life of our state. That’s why we started our Downtown Development District grant program, and it provides a variety of state and local government incentives, including grant rebates to offset the cost of residential, commercial, and industrial development in designated areas.

Our first round of districts in Wilmington, Dover, and Seaford used just shy of $10 million in state funds to attract $160 million in private investment. That includes a new mixed-use facility in Wilmington that will feature a parking garage, 200 apartments, and retail space that will attract more visitors for concerts, dining, and more.

In Seaford, the program is supporting construction of two apartment buildings on the Nanticoke River, bringing more people to live and work in this key area for western Sussex County’s economy. And nonprofit developers are benefiting too. In Dover, Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity is building homes on vacant lots that are supporting new homeownership opportunities. We can build on this success.

In addition to continued support of our current districts, we’ve announced another opportunity for more local governments to propose their own downtown development districts. The Office of State Planning Coordination will review applications from cities and towns in the coming months and more information is available at stateplanning.delaware.gov. Through leadership at the state and local level and the commitment of our private-sector and non-profit partners, Delaware’s downtowns will continue to serve as catalysts of economic development that will strengthen neighborhoods, improve the quality of life, and continue our state’s recent record of having the best job growth in the region. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.

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Weekly Message Transcript: Creating Opportunity and Improving Quality of Life by Investing in Downtowns

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | News | Date Posted: Friday, March 18, 2016



We create opportunity for all Delawareans and improve quality of life when we invest in our downtowns. Individuals and businesses are increasingly attracted to work and live near urban centers, which play a crucial role in the economic and cultural life of our state. That’s why we started our Downtown Development District grant program, and it provides a variety of state and local government incentives, including grant rebates to offset the cost of residential, commercial, and industrial development in designated areas.

Our first round of districts in Wilmington, Dover, and Seaford used just shy of $10 million in state funds to attract $160 million in private investment. That includes a new mixed-use facility in Wilmington that will feature a parking garage, 200 apartments, and retail space that will attract more visitors for concerts, dining, and more.

In Seaford, the program is supporting construction of two apartment buildings on the Nanticoke River, bringing more people to live and work in this key area for western Sussex County’s economy. And nonprofit developers are benefiting too. In Dover, Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity is building homes on vacant lots that are supporting new homeownership opportunities. We can build on this success.

In addition to continued support of our current districts, we’ve announced another opportunity for more local governments to propose their own downtown development districts. The Office of State Planning Coordination will review applications from cities and towns in the coming months and more information is available at stateplanning.delaware.gov. Through leadership at the state and local level and the commitment of our private-sector and non-profit partners, Delaware’s downtowns will continue to serve as catalysts of economic development that will strengthen neighborhoods, improve the quality of life, and continue our state’s recent record of having the best job growth in the region. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.