WILMINGTON, Del. – On Wednesday, November 1, Governor John Carney will host roundtable discussions with leaders in Delaware’s arts & culture, and historic preservation communities.

The discussions are part of Governor Carney’s efforts to showcase Delaware as an attractive home for businesses and their employees. Follow Governor Carney’s discussions using the hashtag #OptionsInDE, and learn more at OptionsInDE.com.

Discussion on Arts & Culture with Governor Carney

This event is open to the press.

WHAT: Governor John Carney will be joined by leaders from Delaware arts & culture institutions to discuss the importance of Delaware’s arts community to the state’s quality of life, tourism economy, and economic development efforts. More than 4,000 jobs are supported by arts activity in Delaware.

WHO: Governor John Carney
Paul Weagraff, Director, Delaware Division of the Arts
Sam Sweet, Executive Director and CEO, Delaware Art Museum
Guillermina Gonzalez, Executive Director, Delaware Arts Alliance
John Hawkins, Interim President, Delaware College of Art and Design
Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Owner, Arts in Media
Carrie Gray, Managing Director, Wilmington Renaissance Corporation
Tom Williams, Board President, Light Up the Queen Foundation
Joseph Gonzales, Executive Director, The Delaware Contemporary
Bud Martin, Executive Director, Delaware Theatre Company
Kristina Kambalov, Executive Director, First State Ballet Theatre
Mark Fields, Executive Director, Grand Opera House
Other Representatives from Delaware’s Arts & Culture Community

WHEN: Wednesday, November 1, 2017
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Delaware College of Art and Design
598 N. Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

Discussion on Historic Preservation with Governor Carney

This event is open to the press.

WHAT: Governor John Carney will be joined by leaders from Delaware historical, and historic preservation, institutions to discuss the importance of promoting and preserving Delaware history to the state’s quality of life, tourism economy, and economic development efforts.

WHO: Governor John Carney
Timothy Slavin, Delaware Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs
Steve Marz, Director and State Archivist, Delaware Public Archives
Ethan McKinley, Park Superintendent, First State National Historical Park
Michele Anstine, Assistant CEO, Delaware Historical Society
Dr. Angela Winand, Mitchell Center for African American Heritage & Diversity Programs, Delaware Historical Society
Rebecca Wilson, Executive Director, Old Swedes Foundation
Mike DiPaolo, Executive Director, Lewes Historical Society
Cathy Parsells, Executive Director, Kalmar Nyckel Foundation
Other Representatives from Delaware’s Historical Preservation Community

WHEN: Wednesday, November 1, 2017
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: George Read II House
42 The Strand
New Castle, DE 19720

Led by Lt. Governor Hall-Long, new group will develop plan to do more to help Delawareans battle substance abuse, increase mental health treatment options and support families

NEW CASTLE, Del. – Delaware officials, health professionals and community advocates came together Friday to take the next step in Delaware’s fight against substance use addiction. The Behavioral Health Consortium, created this year by the General Assembly and chaired by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, held its first meeting Friday and began its work to develop an action plan that will prevent and treat substance use disorder, expand and improve mental health treatment and recovery and provide support for family members of loved ones who are battling addiction or coping with mental health disorders.

“Every day I receive phone calls from families with loved ones who are struggling with addiction, mental illness, and sometimes both. They often don’t know where to turn.” Said consortium chair Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “We will directly address the gaps and set specific goals to reduce overdose deaths and improve services for those who are struggling. We have a lot of very dedicated people on this consortium who are ready to get to work, save lives, and make Delaware a model for other states to follow.”

Lt. Governor Hall-Long has been the leading force behind the formation of the consortium, which was formed earlier this year by the passage of Senate Bill 111, and has been tapped by Governor Carney to lead Delaware’s efforts on improving services and closing gaps for those struggling with addiction and mental illness. The creation of the consortium and coordinated plan is a recommendation of Governor Carney’s Action Plan For Delaware.

“We have an obligation to confront Delaware’s addiction crisis, and Lt. Governor Hall-Long is the right person, with the right experience, to lead our efforts,” said Governor John Carney. “This consortium will help us coordinate Delaware’s response to our addiction crisis, and develop a plan for more effectively delivering prevention and treatment services. Too many Delaware families are dealing with the effects of addiction, and we are committed to taking action. Thank you to everyone who has agreed to serve on this consortium, and thank you to our lieutenant governor for her leadership on this issue.”

“We look forward to working with the Behavioral Health Consortium and Lt. Governor Hall-Long to better coordinate mental health and addiction services across the state,” said Department of Health and Social Services Cabinet Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “Our goal is a behavioral health treatment system that is engaging, comprehensive, coordinated, integrated, high-quality and person-centered. And we’ll do that by working with individuals, families and stakeholders to identify and reach people quickly and match them with the treatment services they require.”

“As we improve our understanding of mental health and addiction issues, public policy needs to evolve as well,” said Sen. Bryan Townsend. “We’ve taken significant steps forward over the years, but one life lost to the disease of addiction is one too many.  We must now ensure that everyone is working together and that we’re applying all of our efforts toward a common goal. I sponsored the legislation creating the Behavioral Health Consortium to get everyone – from lawmakers and health officials to community advocates and non-profit leaders – at the table, and I’m encouraged that we are now poised to reach new levels of coordination in our fight against the addiction epidemic.”

“In order to effectively fight the addiction epidemic in Delaware we need a diverse group of stakeholders and advocates to come together, sharing ideas and perspectives. The Behavioral Health Consortium gives us a shared table to do just that,” said Rep. David Bentz, chair of the House Health Committee. “We want to improve services for Delawareans and increase access so people will be able to get the treatment they need when they need it. I am looking forward to continued discussions around prevention, treatment and recovery for mental health and substance use disorders in the First State.”

In 2016, Delaware had over 300 overdose deaths, which is a 35 percent increase from 2015. This year, Delaware has experienced 185 overdose deaths. Many advocates recognize the need for action.

“We know that Substance Use Disorder, addiction, is a disease.” Said Dave Humes of atTAcK Addiction. “In most instances, it doesn’t stand alone. Behavioral health issues such as early trauma, depression, sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse are contributing factors to the disease of addiction. The establishment of the Behavioral Health Consortium will attempt to determine the root causes and look to implement solutions with the ultimate goal of preventing overdose deaths in Delaware.”

Delaware law enforcement also recognize the need for a coordinated approach.

“Delaware police officers come in contact with individuals suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse on a daily basis.” said Jeff Horvath of the Delaware Police Chiefs Council. “In some cases the traditional response of Law Enforcement to simply investigate reported crimes and arrest the offenders may not be the best or only approach that should be taken. We look forward to working with the other members of the Statewide Behavioral Health Consortium to find solutions.”

In addition to the work of the consortium, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services have already launched resources to help individuals struggling with addiction. Please visit the newly updated Help is Here website at www.HelpIsHereDE.com. Individuals who are suffering from addiction can also call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment options. In New Castle County, call 800-652-2929, or Kent and Sussex Counties, call 800-345-6785.

Newport, Del.– Discovering Delaware went digital to celebrate National American Beer Day as the Delaware Tourism Office (Visit Delaware) unveiled Delaware on Tap, the new smartphone application version of the state’s popular Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail.

The office showcased the app, which is available for free download in the App Store and from Google Play, at Bellefonte Brewing Company Friday morning along with Gov. John Carney and Secretary of State Jeff Bullock, State Sen. Anthony Delcollo and Neil Shea, CEO of Bellefonte.

“Delaware’s more than $3-billion tourism industry is a key driver of the state’s economy, and our thriving craft beverage industry is an important element of that,” said Governor Carney. “Finding new and innovative ways to draw Delawareans and visitors into these small businesses helps to ensure the industry’s growth continues.”

“Craft beverage makers are some of our Delaware’s hardest working entrepreneurs,” said Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “An application like this is one of the many inventive ways state government can create a climate and community that helps them succeed.”

Delaware on Tap guides visitors and residents through completing the trail. After a user creates an account, the app uses geo-location to allow them to “check in” at a site.

Once they have checked in at any ten craft beverage makers on the trail, the user will receive a prize from the Delaware Tourism Office – a commemorative glass beer mug. Plus, the first 100 people to complete the trail via the app will get a growler cooler bag.

“As the craft beverage industry evolves, so does the Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail,” said Liz Keller, Delaware Tourism Director. “Visitors wanted a smartphone-friendly way to take the trail. We made it happen. Delaware on Tap follows the tourism office’s philosophy of listening to consumers and providing them what they need to enhance their visit to the state.”

The app provides travelers with the opportunity to find what’s nearby, upcoming events, suggestions for places to dine or stay, deals and transportation offerings, including tours and Uber. An in-app photo booth lets users put fun frames and filters on photos they take along the trail and then helps them post the fun shots on social media using #DEonTap.

“We work hard to attract potential customers and get information to them,” said Neil Shea, CEO of Bellefonte Brewing Company. “We’re appreciative of the Delaware Tourism Office’s efforts to assist us and Delaware’s entire craft beverage community with that mission. We frequently see visitors who stop in as a part of taking the Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail, and the new app will help even more beer lovers find us.”

“I am extremely encouraged to see Delaware proactively promoting one of the First State’s fastest growing and most popular industries,” said Sen. Anthony Delcollo, R-Marshallton. “We must continue highlighting the successes of our local businesses that create jobs and opportunity in our state, and that’s what Delaware on Tap accomplishes for this industry.”

The trail started in 2010 with 12 locations, all breweries and wineries. At the time it was called the Delaware Wine & Ale Trail. Since then the trail has grown to include more than two dozen businesses – breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries and meaderies. The trail passport has racked up 7,200 downloads in seven years – a rate of three downloads every day.

The Beer, Wine and Spirits Trail is one of the Visit Delaware’s five Trails of Discovery. Each gives tourists a unique and thematic way to see the state. The other four trails are: history, outdoor, geocaching and culinary.

The Delaware Tourism Office, 99 Kings Highway in Dover, Del., part of the Delaware Division of Small Business, Development & Tourism, promotes tourism and economic growth in Delaware. For more information, visit the official Delaware Tourism website at www.visitdelaware.com or call toll-free (866) 284-7483.

Media Contact:
Michael Chesney
Director of Communications
Division of Small Business, Development & Tourism
Michael.Chesney@delaware.gov
(302) 672-6827 (office)
(302) 943-9508 (cell)

Newport, DE – Governor John Carney, Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock and other officials and dignitaries joined US NewGenzyme President and CEO Gaofeng Liu to and members of the Global Delaware team Thursday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the company’s Newport facility.

“We are very excited to start operations in Newport,” said Gaofeng Liu, president and CEO of US NewGenzyme. “The state of Delaware and New Castle County have been very supportive of our efforts from the very start, and we are confident this will be a successful opportunity for both our company and the state.”

“We are excited and honored to welcome NewGenzyme to Delaware,” said Gov. Carney. “My administration is committed to building a strong innovation economy, and NewGenzyme is a perfect example of this—an entrepreneurial operation that will create high-tech jobs and additional opportunity right here in our state.”

US NewGenzyme, a subsidiary of Chinese food ingredient and flour additive company Southern New Well Food Co., uses a fermentation process to manufacture an all-natural bio-enzyme used to improve flour products. The enzyme will be sold directly to large baking ingredient companies as well as directly to large bakeries and flour mills in the U.S. and abroad. The product will help to replace chemical bleaching agents, which have been banned in China and several European countries. The U.S. market has also seen a significant decrease in the use of chemical bleaching agents, and an increased demand for safer alternatives.

“The bio-enzyme is safer than the chemical alternatives and improves the color, shelf-life and texture of the dough,” Mr. Liu explained. “This enzyme is well-known in the industry, but until now, the challenge has been to produce it affordably on an industrial scale. It took us several years to develop and fine-tune the manufacturing process, but we are now ready to start commercial production in our Delaware facility.”

Delaware provides right location, resources

Although the company’s research operations are in Maryland, the company chose to locate its manufacturing facility in Delaware because of the strong manufacturing legacy in the region, US NewGenzyme Business Manager Mike Tian explained. “Making the move from a lab-scale operation to an industrial-scale operation is a big step, and not an easy one. Here in Delaware, we were able to get the assistance we needed to launch our operation quickly and without a lot of extra steps. Everyone at the state of Delaware has been extremely helpful.”

Mr. Tian noted that the facility is an easy drive to the FDA and close to excellent schools that can provide a talent pool as it ramps up operations. In addition, the plant’s proximity to Interstate 95 provides easy distribution to East Coast customers.
“Delaware has much to offer young bioscience companies, from its strategic location to its outstanding universities and deep talent pool,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock. “NewGenzyme joins a growing number of strong, innovative companies, and we look forward to partnering with them to ensure their long-term success.”

Once the plant is running at full capacity, US NewGenzyme will employ between five and ten people, Mr. Tian said. Many of the positions will be manufacturing jobs, but the plant will also require several science and engineering professionals for quality assurance and plant management.

“We look forward to starting operations very soon, and we are grateful to Global Delaware and to officials around the State and County for all of their support in helping us make this project a reality,” Mr. Tian added.

When it comes to career and technical education and preparing young people for life after high school, Delaware is emerging as a national and international leader, according to “Propelling College and Career Success: The Role of Strategic Partnerships in Scaling Delaware Pathways,” a case study just released by Jobs for the Future (JFF).

The case study is part of a larger series, supported by a gift from the James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation to Harvard University, examining how states and regions are preparing tomorrow’s workforce and highlighting promising practices that can inform other college and career readiness efforts around the country.

In Delaware, nearly 9,000 students are enrolled in a statewide initiative called Delaware Pathways, which is designed to provide college and career preparation for youth. Under the program, high school students who enroll develop needed skills, get real work experience, earn college credit at no cost to their families, and gain industry-recognized credentials that prepare them for postsecondary education or employment when they graduate. The program has grown exponentially since its inception in 2014, with just 27 students enrolled in an advanced manufacturing pathway, to 4,922 students enrolled in a Pathway program in the 2016-17 school year, and an anticipated 9,000-plus students in the 2017-18 school year (exact enrollment numbers to be released in November 2017). At the same time, participating businesses are developing a strong local workforce of the future while helping students gain the knowledge and skills needed to be job-ready upon graduation.

The case study, authored by National Center on Education and the Economy Senior Editor Robert Rothman, lauds Delaware’s strong and diverse partnership that includes the K-12 system, businesses, higher education, and community agencies and organizations. Delaware’s collaborative nature, ability to respond to economic demands, and small size are cited as contributors to Delaware Pathways’ success.

“Delaware has emerged very quickly as a national leader in the career pathways movement,” said Robert Schwartz, senior research fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and co-founder of the Pathways Network. “It set an ambitious goal of having half of its high school students enrolled in career pathways by 2019, and it is on-track to meet that goal. Its work has been characterized by careful planning, robust support for implementation, and an extraordinary spirit of collaboration across agency and sector lines.”

“Propelling College and Career Success” traces the origins of Delaware Pathways to 2014, when Delaware began connecting national and local stakeholders to build a broad coalition of partners around a concept coined “The Delaware Promise,” a pledge to increase the proportion of Delaware residents with college degrees or postsecondary credentials to 65 percent (up from 40 percent) by 2025 and to enroll half of all Delaware high school students in career pathways by 2019.

“This initiative is critical not just for the future of the high school students enrolled but for the future of our state,” said Governor John Carney, who made career preparation one of his education platform issues when he took office this year. “Investing in Delaware’s economy starts with providing a quality education for Delaware’s children and making sure that our students have the skills necessary to compete and succeed.”

In Delaware, partners highlighted in the case study include the state Department of Education, the state Department of Labor, Delaware Technical Community College, the United Way of Delaware, the Rodel Foundation, and the Delaware Workforce Development Board.

The study also spotlights how Appoquinimink School District redesigned its two high schools into “schools,” each of which includes one or more career pathways. As part of each pathway, students can take Advanced Placement courses or dual enrollment classes to earn college credit, and each also includes work-based learning experiences with partnering businesses. Some of the pathways also have spread to begin in middle schools.

Appoquinimink Superintendent Matt Burrows said the redesign was aimed at supporting all students, including those who did not intend to go on to four-year colleges: “For a long time, we have been saying college and career readiness. We’ve done a wonderful job on the college piece. We want to do a better job on the career piece.”

Other case studies in the series, which will be published over the next several months, feature Marlborough, Massachusetts and Tennessee. The series spotlights states and regions that are members of JFF’s Pathways to Prosperity Network, a collaboration focused on building college and career pathways that was launched by JFF and the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2012. The growth and progress of the Pathways to Prosperity Network is chronicled in a new book, Learning for Careers, published by the Harvard Education Press and co-authored by Nancy Hoffman and Robert Schwartz, who jointly founded the Network.

“Propelling College and Career Success: The Role of Strategic Partnerships in Scaling Delaware Pathways” was officially released Tuesday at the national Pathways to Prosperity Network Fall Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

To read “Propelling College and Career Success: The Role of Strategic Partnerships in Scaling Delaware Pathways,” visit http://www.jff.org/initiatives/pathways-prosperity-network.

About Jobs for the Future:

Jobs for the Future is a national nonprofit that builds educational and economic opportunity for underserved populations in the United States. JFF develops innovative career and educational programs and public policies that increase college readiness and career success, and build a more highly skilled workforce. With over 30 years of experience, JFF is the national leader in bridging education and work to increase economic mobility and strengthen our economy

About Delaware Pathways:

Delaware Pathways is a state-wide initiative aimed at engaging students in career exploration and training through sets of curriculum focused on specific industry-based “pathways,” paired with opportunities to gain workplace experience while still in high school, graduate with a head start on a college degree, and to best prepare for post-secondary education (including two-year and four-year degrees, professional certificates or apprenticeships) and career. Delaware Pathways is a unique collaboration of school districts, businesses, higher education, and national advisory partners that represent a “new way to do school.”

Media Contacts:
Alison May, Delaware Department of Education, (302) 735-4006, Alison.May@doe.k12.de.us
Michelle Sedaca, Jobs for the Future, (617) 728-4446 x212, msedaca@jff.org