DOVER — More than 250 citizens, educators, business leaders and local government officials were brought together on Tuesday, Sept. 24, by the Delaware Tech Terry Campus and the Central Delaware Business and Entrepreneurship Consortium—with support from the Delaware Economic Development Office — to advance the common goal of improving the economic life in Kent County.

“My administration has no higher priority than working to grow the economy and fostering an environment for job creation,” said Governor Jack Markell, a speaker at the conference. “I am the first to say that we have more work to do, but as analysts at the Federal Reserve have pointed out, Delaware is well-positioned for decades of growth. We have seen progress across our state, including in Kent County where Kraft recently expanded, adding jobs and construction began on the Garrison Energy Center.  To keep moving forward, we must remain focused on the key factors for growing our economy, such as strengthening our workforce, bringing down the cost of business, and improving our infrastructure.”

Dr. Mark T. Brainard, executive vice president of Delaware Technical Community College, emphasized how Delaware Tech’s mission is in keeping with the focus of the Summit: “Delaware Tech helps build stronger communities by employing more than 700 Kent County residents with an annual payroll of $15 million. The College is also committed to its number one priority – connecting Delawareans with jobs through education. In fact, according to our 2012 placement data, it’s not surprising that 94% of our graduates are either employed or continuing their education.”

Fifteen speakers and twenty-eight exhibitors helped showcase many economic opportunities in Kent County in order to build better communities.   Discussion topics that were covered included, “Creating a Climate for Agri-Business”, “Kent County Landscape: Economic Outlook and Year in Review” and “Where Are They Now? Engines of Economic Growth.”

Delaware Tech connects Delawareans with jobs in healthcare, surgical tech, certified electronic health records, and energy, to name a few. Their Program Advisory Committees help ensure that Delaware Tech graduates have the right competencies for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.

To learn more about all of Delaware Tech’s continuing education and training opportunities, go to https://www.dtcc.edu/continuing-education.

Wilmington – In his weekly message, Governor Markell focuses on the State’s ongoing efforts to put Delawareans back to work and promotes the town hall events being held throughout the state.

“I’m holding a series of town hall meetings to address our economic efforts, which include educating a quality workforce, making business costs affordable and having a high quality of life in our state,” said Governor Markell. “We continue to work through one of the most challenging economic periods in our history and we will never be satisfied as long as Delawareans are out of work, but job growth here is outpacing the nation and we have reasons to be optimistic about the future.”

Every Friday, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

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Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Supporting Continued Job Growth in the First State

We continue to work through one of the most challenging economic periods in our history and we will never be satisfied as long as Delawareans are out of work. But job growth here is outpacing the nation and we have reasons to be optimistic about our future.

This week in Seaford we cut the ribbon on a new plant for Grayling Industries, owned by ILC Dover, the Frederica-based business known for manufacturing spacesuits for NASA and protection equipment for our troops. They are moving 115 quality jobs from Mexico to our state.

In a global economy, ILC Dover and Grayling Industries had many choices of where to expand, and it chose to ship all 85 pieces of its production lines more than two thousand miles to Sussex County. Our Economic Development Office provided some financial assistance with the new facility, but grants like that are just one piece of our plan to attract the jobs we want, like the high tech positions at GE Aviation in Newark, the hundreds of jobs planned at a poultry plant in Millsboro or the thousands being created in our financial sector.

I’m holding a series of town hall meeting to address our economic efforts, which include educating a quality workforce, making business costs affordable and having a high quality of life in our state. I’m also hosting these events to hear your input and I hope you’ll join me at an upcoming town hall. You can find information at Delaware.gov. As analysts from the Federal Reserve have noted, our state is well positioned for decades of economic growth ahead. With a comprehensive plan that allows us to respond to job creators’ needs, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

Dover, Milford, Milton and Smyrna will have vacancies filled during holiday season

DOVER, Del. (Sept. 19, 2013) – Owners of five Delaware businesses are thinking holidays already, and they have every reason to do so – they’ll be taking part in a state-led initiative that will provide them with rent-free commercial space for three months in a Delaware downtown from October through December.

The new businesses chosen to participate in Project Pop-Up 2013 will open by Oct. 1 in Dover, Milford, Milton and Smyrna.

Unlike more traditional Pop-Up programs in other areas of the country, Delaware’s Project Pop-Up has the dual goal of helping small business owners sign a long-term lease to occupy a brick-and-mortar location while also filling vacant properties in the state’s towns. This year, all selectees have signed leases that will allow them to make a smooth transition to paid occupancy beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

“We support small businesses at every phase of their development, because small business is big business in Delaware,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “This program has become an integral part of the reshaping of our economy by not only promoting entrepreneurship but also revitalizing our downtowns.”

The following businesses were chosen to take part in Project Pop-Up 2013:

• Computers Fixed Today, a computer repair/ retail company in Dover owned by Theo Morgan.
• 302Fitness, a personal training studio and small group workout center in Milton owned by John Lehne.
• Milton Wellness Center of Delaware, which offers human performance consulting including yoga, coaching and sports psychology, run by Dr. Bill Shearer and Mary Van House.
• Milford Massage, Wellness and Yoga, a Milford-based business owned by Paige Deiner.
• Royal Treatments, a Smyrna-based business owned by Karen Gill that offers custom window treatments, home décor and accessories.

This is the second year that the Delaware Economic Development Office and Downtown Delaware have offered Project Pop-Up, with last year’s program placing three businesses in open spaces.

Both Amber Shader, owner of First & Little baby boutique in Middletown, and Jenn White, owner of Little Posies Photography in Milford, signed long-term leases to stay in their properties beyond the three-month period offered by the program.

“Last year, two of our success stories quickly became part of their respective downtown business communities,” said Diane Laird, DEDO State Coordinator for Downtown Delaware. “We’re confident that the properties and business owners taking part in Project Pop-Up 2013 will find that same spirit of partnership in their new homes, and that this synergy will translate into success beyond the upcoming holiday season.”

Alan Levin, Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, said Project Pop-Up has become a vital tool in helping revitalize Delaware’s main streets.

“The strength of our economy relies on the health of our downtowns, and we’re banking on Project Pop-Up to once again stir growth and activity in these municipalities,” Levin said. “We are proud of these small business owners for taking the next step and moving into a storefront, which in turn helps us by bringing a vacant property to life.”

About the Delaware Economic Development Office
The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.

About Downtown Delaware
Downtown Delaware, a program of the Delaware Economic Development Office, provides Delaware’s historic downtowns, communities, and small businesses with tools to revitalize their commercial districts, increase entrepreneurial opportunity, and enhance quality of place. To learn more about the Main Street program, visit www.delawaremainstreet.com.

Legislation will prepare youth to be “Ready by 21”

Dover – Surrounded by current and former youth who have experienced foster care, Governor Jack Markell signed legislation yesterday to enhance support services that will better prepare youth in foster care for adulthood. Known as the “Ready by 21” bill, House Bill 163 complements Delaware’s developmentally appropriate, fully-integrated system of independent living services, housing and financial assistance available to this population. Several young adults in attendance at the bill signing helped draft the legislation.

“It is so important we allow these young people to have a direct say in decision making related to their lives,” said Governor Jack Markell. “Turning 18 can be difficult for any young adult, but for youth in foster care there are often additional hurdles they must overcome. By allowing them to identify the areas in which they need additional support and services, we’ll ensure they experience a smoother transition to adulthood.”

The issue of supporting youth who are transitioning from foster care to adulthood received national attention earlier this year when the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, joined by Governor Markell, launched a national campaign in Washington, D.C. called Success Beyond 18. The goals of that campaign mirror work already underway in Delaware: ensuring young people are not on their own at age 18; including young people in the decision-making process; and enhancing the accountability of courts and state agencies to ensure better outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

“Many youth exiting foster care don’t have the training or skills to secure housing, get a job and continue their education. They are starting out their adult lives at a huge disadvantage,” said Rep. Andria Bennett, D-Dover South, who was the bill’s prime sponsor. “By creating and offering additional supports for them, we as a state are taking our role in shaping children’s future very seriously.”

One of the key components of HB 163 is the formalization of financial assistance for youth exiting foster care.  These needs-based stipends can be used for housing, bills related to housing such as electric, insurance, and transportation needs to name a few. The use of the funds will be monitored by the youth’s Independent Living (IL) services provider quarterly, and youth will be required to complete a financial literacy course. Former foster youth say the support is invaluable:

“All of these things are essential for youth to excel,” said Maggie Boone a youth advocate for the Delaware Youth Opportunities Initiative, under the Delaware Center for Justice, and one of the former youth in care who helped draft the bill. “Enhancing services until age 21 gives these young adults something they would have gotten if they were in a traditional living situation. It’s giving them a sense of stability and security in such a crucial time in their lives as they transition into adulthood.”

The legislation also extends the jurisdiction of Family Court to continue to review a youth’s case relative to Independent Living services after they turn 18 if the youth so chooses; it further requires the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) to develop, administer and implement a program that fully integrates IL services to include not only financial and housing assistance, but also, medical, employment and training, education and connections to resources. IL services have previously been available to youth in care ages 14-18.

“Making the transition from being a teenager to adult is hard for all of us, but it can be especially tough for youth in foster care,” said Sen. Nicole Poore, D-Barb’s Farm, the lead Senate sponsor of the bill. “We all hope this makes that transition easier and gives foster children a better chance to achieve happiness and success in their adult lives.”

Delaware’s foster care system is managed by DSCYF’s Division of Family Services.  Approximately 721 youth are currently in foster care in Delaware. Those eligible for IL services comprise nearly half of all youth in foster care. Acceptance of IL services is purely voluntary.

“So many of our youth have incredible potential, but they need a helping hand,” said Jennifer Ranji, cabinet secretary for DSCYF.  “This bill provides a way for us to formalize our support system so that we can assist with their transition into adulthood, in a way and at a pace that is most appropriate for each individual young person.”