Online portal to streamline business licensing, registration, employer requirements

NEWARK, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday officially launched a new online tool to help streamline documentation and reporting requirements for new businesses. The new Delaware One Stop, available at onestop.delaware.gov, allows businesses to interact with core state agencies whether they are starting out or ready to grow.

Delaware One Stop is a convenient, centralized transactional platform created to help business owners work through the necessary steps to begin operation in Delaware. Using one website, businesses can apply and pay for a Delaware business license, make required filings with the Department of Labor, and create formation documents for a legal entity with the Division of Corporations.

“One of the things we hear all the time from small businesses is how hard it can be to figure out what you need from the state in order to open your doors. We know that entrepreneurs just want to take care of those things quickly and get to work, but state government doesn’t always make it easy,” said Governor John Carney. “Today we’re taking a big step in that direction and bringing many of those functions together on a single portal – Delaware One Stop.”

One Stop is the product of a collaborative effort among multiple state agencies and real-world entrepreneurs that allows users to access many services via a single login. This offers a clear road map to ensure continuous engagement between businesses and various state agencies.

“We want to make it easier for businesses to succeed in Delaware,” said Secretary of Finance Rick Geisenberger. “With the new Delaware One Stop portal, we’re partnering among multiple state agencies to leverage technology that makes registering a business seamless, faster, and more efficient.”

The core functions of the new site include business license registration via the Division of Revenue, hiring reporting through the Division of Unemployment Insurance, and coverage verification with the Office of Workers’ Compensation. 

“We’re excited about the launching of Delaware’s new One Stop portal,” said Secretary of Labor Cerron Cade. “Leveraging technology to create better efficiencies in business creation and compliance only continues to reinforce Delaware’s position as a premier destination for businesses, entrepreneurs, and their workers.”

New to One Stop is a step-by-step guide to creating business entity formation documents for submission to the Division of Corporations, helping users on the path to organizing a Delaware corporation, partnership, or LLC.

“Delaware’s world-leading corporate franchise isn’t just for the Fortune 500; our home-grown small businesses have the same access to the services of the Division of Corporations when it comes to forming their own legal entities,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “One Stop will absolutely change the way Delaware entrepreneurs think about dealing with state government.”

The new site is a significant rebuild of the original One Stop portal, launched in 2005. Designed and built by vendor Breakline Digital in cooperation with the Delaware Government Information Center (GIC) and the Department of Technology and Information (DTI), the modern design prioritizes user experience and revolves around an account dashboard that tracks and saves progress. The new One Stop is hosted in cloud-based architecture built on the trusted Salesforce platform.

“The Delaware Business One Stop portal is the initial iteration of our new unified citizen engagement platform,” said Delaware Chief Information Officer James Collins. “We’re striving for all citizens and businesses to have access — anywhere, anytime and from any device — to an array of secure digital government services through a single point of entry. We couldn’t be more proud of this initiative to ease the process of doing business in Delaware.”

One Stop also features an integrated survey that takes the pulse of users who seem stuck on one screen for an extended period of time, allowing for real-time feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Before launch, members of the business community tested One Stop for its real-world usability.

“The new streamlined process brings an efficient solution to form a new business in Delaware. The State Chamber applauds the Governor’s initiative to make the new One Stop website a reality,” said Mike Quaranta, president of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, which assisted with reviewing and testing the One Stop site prior to launch.

Delaware One Stop Tips

• The Division of Revenue Business License is $75 per year and is pro-rated (renew by the end of December for the next calendar year).
• You can print a temporary business license from the One Stop; you will receive your official copy in the mail in about a month if all looks good.
• After you register your business, you will need to pay gross receipts tax.
• Businesses that hire employees need to register with Department of Labor – with both the Division of Unemployment Insurance and the Division of Worker’s Compensation. You can do this from One Stop under “Report Hiring” as soon as you know you’ll have employees.
• Other licenses, such as professional licenses, environmental permits, and local/county licenses, are not yet included in the One Stop system. You need to apply for these separately.

(DOVER, Del.—Sept. 18, 2019)—Between Sept. 28 and Oct. 18, 2019, the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., will present “Delaware’s Maritime Heritage,” a four-part lecture series presented by Bill Manthorpe, retired U.S. Navy captain and author. A complete schedule is listed below. All programs begin at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator) and are free and open to the public. However, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling the museum at 302-645-1148.

“Delaware’s Maritime Heritage” schedule

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019
“Creating the Navy on the Delaware.” Reservations deadline: Sept. 27, 2019

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019
“Delaware’s Naval Heroes and Their Battles.” Reservations deadline: Oct. 4, 2019

Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019
“Ships Named ‘Delaware.’ ” Reservations deadline: Oct. 11, 2019

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019
“The Navy at Lewes and at the Cape.” Reservations deadline: Oct. 18, 2019

William H. J. Manthorpe, Jr.
Bill Manthorpe is a retired U.S. Navy captain and government civilian senior executive. He retired in 1994 as the deputy director of Naval Intelligence, having served 40 years as an intelligence professional. During his government career, Manthorpe was a columnist and frequent contributor to the Naval Institute’s Proceedings magazine and was its 1991 author of the year. He also contributed articles to the Submarine Review and Comparative Strategy, and authored a chapter in one book on the Soviet navy and the introduction to another.

Upon retiring from the government, he spent five years at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory as a strategic consultant with the rank of professor, while also teaching leadership and management in the Engineering Management masters-degree program and the ROTC program. While there he was published in the APL Technical Digest. Coincidently, from 1995 until 2008, he taught leadership and management at the Joint Military Intelligence College and edited the college’s Defense Intelligence Journal.

Since retiring full time to the Delaware Coast in 1998, Manthorpe has been researching, writing and speaking on the naval and maritime history of Delaware. He has contributed articles to Pull Together, the publication of the Naval Historical Foundation, and to the Journal of the Lewes Historical Society. In addition, he has written a classified history of one aspect of naval intelligence for the Office of Naval Intelligence and Navy Archives as well as articles for the Naval War College Review and the Naval Intelligence Professional’s Quarterly.

The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch along Hoorn Kill (present-day Lewes-Rehoboth Canal) in 1631. Designed by E. William Martin (architect of Legislative Hall and the Hall of Records in Dover), the museum is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, and features a stepped facade gable with carved stonework and decorated shutters. The museum’s exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history.

The Zwaanendael Museum is administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, an agency of the State of Delaware. The division enhances Delaware’s quality of life by preserving the state’s unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality and providing educational programs and assistance to the general public on Delaware history and heritage. The division’s diverse array of services includes operation of five museums which are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center and management of historic properties across the state. Primary funding for division programs and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, a federal agency. However, the contents and opinions expressed in the division’s programs and services do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department of the Interior.

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WILMINGTON, DE – Ten Delaware small businesses were recognized Wednesday as the awardees of the first-ever EDGE Grants from the state Division of Small Business.

Gov. John Carney and Division Director Damian DeStefano announced the companies at an event at the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington. The grant recipients, located across the state, represent a variety of industries, including agribusiness, medical devices, food services and apparel. They include woman-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned businesses.

“Delaware is fortunate to have a vibrant small business community comprised of 25,000 companies that employ more than half of all Delaware workers,” Gov. Carney said. “Through these grants the State of Delaware is helping to support small business owners who take risks to realize their dreams of building companies from the ground up.”

EDGE Grants provide a 3-to1 match for each dollar an eligible business invests on qualified expenses that improve the company’s long-term chances of success.

The state is awarding a total of 10 grants. Five in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) class totaling $500,000 and five in the Entrepreneur class tallying $248,000. The businesses are putting up almost $375,000 in matching funds.

“These grants will assist these creative, driven entrepreneurs get the capital support they need to reach their full potential,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “They will help the companies grow and level the playing field as they compete against larger, more established businesses.”

The innovative program launched in May and had more than 140 companies apply. Eight finalists were selected in the STEM class and eight in the Entrepreneur class. Five winners in each category were chosen after public presentations before a panel of judges on Aug. 13 and 14 at Del Tech in Dover.

“It was challenging to narrow a field filled with so many great applicants,” said DeStefano. “Over two days our team of judges listened carefully to the presentations, asked thoughtful questions and offered valuable insights and comments.”

The Division of Small Business is currently accepting applications for the second round of EDGE Grants. The deadline to apply is Oct. 11, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.

The recipients are:

STEM class

Avkin (New Castle)

This woman-owned business develops medical simulation equipment to train healthcare professionals. It will use the grant accelerate its efforts to market its products to hospital systems across the U.S.

EZY Venture (Harrington)

This woman-owned business processes industrial hemp and extracts CBD oil. It will use its grant to purchase the equipment it needs to extract and process the oil at scale, helping it to meet the growing demand for this product.

Napigen (Wilmington)

The company is developing a hybrid, non-GMO variety of wheat which may help ease the world’s shortage of the grain. It will use the grant for achieving two milestones critical for launching seed production.

Neurothera (Newark)

The company uses light (photobiomodulation) to treat diseases and injuries affecting the brain. It will use the grant to complete a preliminary study to investigate the technology as a possible treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

W7 Energy (Wilmington)

This spin-out company from the University of Delaware is using a new class of hydroxide exchange membranes to power zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicles. It will use the grant to rent larger laboratory space and market to potential new customers.

Entrepreneur Class

BBD MidAtlantic (Greenville)

This woman-owned business operates a successful blow out-bar in Greenville called Blo Blow Dry Bar. It will use the grant to move to a larger space which will enable it to expand its staff and serve more customers.

entreDonovan Wholesale (Wilmington)

This women-owned company uses 3D technology and digital pattern making to produce custom-made women’s apparel for the workplace. It will use the grant to pursue its national growth strategy.

Grey Fox Capital (Wilmington)

This veteran-owned firm manages a fund which raises money to invest in real estate projects in Opportunity Zones in Delaware. It will use the grant for market analysis, marketing and legal fees.

Impact Graphix and Signs (Seaford)

This woman-owned business installs commercial signs and awnings in southern Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. It will use the grant to purchase a second bucket truck to better meet demand for the company’s services.

Tomeka’s Homestyle Eatery (Dover)

This minority- and woman-owned business plans to open a home-style, soul food restaurant in downtown Dover. The owner already sells her food at the city’s weekly farmers market. She will use the grant to help build a commercial kitchen in the downtown building she plans to use for her restaurant.

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 Media Contact:
Michael Chesney
Director of Communications
Michael.Chesney@delaware.gov
(302) 577-8472 (office)
(302) 943-9508 (mobile)
Michael.chesney@delaware.gov

DOVER – Spurred by a single complaint from a customer, Delmarva Power will soon issue refunds to thousands of customers impacted by a recently identified billing error.

The New Castle County resident called the Division of the Public Advocate’s office in August with a question about her utility bill. After reviewing the customer’s billing history, the DPA questioned various late payment charges on her bills and contacted Delmarva Power to discuss these concerns.

As a result of this inquiry, Delmarva Power reviewed its files and determined that thousands of customers were due refunds dating back to 2015.

This week Delmarva will begin issuing one-time refunds to affected customers; the average residential refund will be approximately $15.

“This goes to show how important it is to not only pay your utility bills promptly, but to review and understand your billing statements,” said Public Advocate Drew Slater. “The old adage that one person can make a difference rings true in this case. Had this customer not contacted our office and shared her concern, an issue affecting thousands of households may have gone unnoticed.”

“I want to extend my appreciation to Delmarva Power for taking their time in reviewing this case and addressing the issue for all affected customers, and to the customer who contacted our office and brought her concerns to our attention.”

If you have questions about your utility bill, start by contacting your utility provider. Unresolved concerns may be reported to the Division of the Public Advocate, which is able to assist public utility customers. The Division of the Public Advocate can be reached at 302-577-5077, 302-241-2555, or via public.advocate@delaware.gov.

The Division of the Public Advocate advocates for the lowest reasonable utility rates, principally on behalf of residential and small commercial consumers, consistent with the maintenance of adequate utility service and an equitable distribution of rates among all classes of consumers.

Wilmington, Del. (September 12, 2019) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is pleased to announce several upcoming events featuring 2019 Individual Artist Fellows.  Delaware’s Individual Artist Fellowships recognize artists for their outstanding quality of work and provide monetary awards. Individual Artist Fellows are publicly acknowledged and benefit from the additional exposure to their work.  They are also required, as part of the grant program, to participate in public events to share their work.

For the 2019 Individual Artist Fellowships, over 130 Delaware choreographers, composers, musicians, visual artists, and writers were reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals, who considered both demonstrated creativity and skill in their art form. Twenty artists were selected for Fellowships.

Material World: New Work by Daniel Jackson and Ken Mabrey
Location: The Delaware Contemporary, 200 South Madison St., Wilmington, DE 19801
Dates: On view through September 29, 2019
Price: Admission is free, suggested donation $12 Adults/$6 Kids under 13
Daniel Jackson is the 2019 Established Artist in Visual Arts: Photography. In this new body of work, photographic still-lifes play with “impossible” compositions. Images feature temporary sculptures constructed in the studio that defy gravity and take on a surreal dimension, blurring the distinction between photography and computer-generated imagery. Ken Mabrey’s linear, expressive brushwork recalls the work of Reginald Marsh and Peter Paul Rubens. His playful sketches, referred to as “mark-makings,” contain vast color range.

2019 Award Winners Exhibition at Cab Calloway School of the Arts
Location: Cab Calloway School of the Arts, 100 N. Dupont Rd., Wilmington, DE 19807
Dates: On view through October 18, 2019
Price: Free
The Award Winners group exhibition features works by the 2019 Individual Artist Fellows. This exhibition previously traveled to the Biggs Museum of American Art and CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. Contact the school at 302-651-2700 for visiting hours.

Two-Person Show Featuring Geraldo Gonzalez and Ken Segal
Location: The Creative Vision Factory, 617 North Shipley St., Wilmington, DE 19801
Dates: On view through October 25, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on weekdays
Price: Free
Geraldo Gonzalez is the 2019 Emerging Professional in Folk Arts: Visual Arts. His work includes his signature drawings of public transportation as well as new work. Ken Segal is a retired computer animator and coauthor of The AutoCAD  3D Book, whose abstract paintings are imbued with emotion and patterns he calls “sacred geometry.”

Poetry by Karen Hurley-Heyman
Location: Newark Arts Alliance, Newark, 276 E. Main St. Suite 102, Newark, DE 19711
Date: Friday, September 20, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Price: Free
Karen Hurley-Heyman, the 2019 Emerging Professional in Literature: Poetry, will read a selection of poems submitted for her fellowship followed by a selection of new and never previously performed poems. Be the first to hear them! There will be wine and light refreshments offered in a venue filled with delightful works of art in various mediums. Many of the visual artworks on display are available for purchase.

D.H. Regnier Composition Recital
Location: Gore Recital Hall at University of Delaware, 110 Orchard Rd., Newark, DE 19716
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2019, 8:00 p.m.
Price: Free
This program features a recital of solo and chamber works by D.H. Regnier, the 2019 Emerging Professional in Music: Composition, including a performance of his acclaimed “without reason…without purpose” for alto saxophone and bassoon, and the premiere of “Aftermath” for clarinet and string quartet.

Sense of Time and Place, a Confluence of Research and Literary Craft
Location: Gov. Ross Mansion, 23669 Ross Station Rd., Seaford, DE 19973
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Price: Free but space is limited. To register, please RSVP to marymargaretpauer@gmail.com no later than October 1, 2019
A half-day seminar on creative nonfiction organized by Mary Pauer, the Emerging Professional in Literature: Creative Nonfiction, and featuring several guest speakers. The seminar looks at “What is creative nonfiction?,” how a writer employs creative nonfiction in writing a family history, and the ethical approach to establishing a sense of time and place in the creative nonfiction genre. The event includes a reading and discussion led by Mary Paurer and a reading by Leslie Hsu Oh, the Established Professional in Literature: Creative Nonfiction.

The Goldberg Variations: 32 Miniatures Based on Bach’s Keyboard Masterpiece
Location: Mezzanine Gallery, Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French St., Wilmington, DE 19801
Date: November 1-27, 2019 with a reception on Friday, November 1 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Price: Free
Gregg Silvis is the 2019 Emerging Professional in Visual Arts: Sculpture. This exhibition presents 32 miniatures based on the J.S. Bach keyboard piece, the Goldberg Variations. Each of the variations is represented by an 8″ x 8″ work. A variety of techniques and materials are incorporated, including gold leaf, silver leaf, prints on a number of different types of paper, wooden dowels, brass and stainless steel rods, stained glass, mirrors, and several others.

To Save the World – Essay Reading
Location: Baldcypress Nature Center in Trap Pond State Park,
33587 Bald Cypress Ln., Laurel, DE 19956
Date: Friday, November 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
Price: State Park Entrance Fee: $4 in-state; $8 out-of-state. No charge to attend reading.
Jenifer Adams-Mitchell, recipient the 2019 Emerging Professional in Literature: Fiction, will read an essay she wrote about the importance of connecting with nature titled “To Save the World.” The reading will take place at the beautiful Baldcypress Nature Center at Trap Pond State Park. Following the reading, a Trap Pond ranger will give a short guided hike (optional). Light refreshments will be served.

Kevin Cope, Classical Guitar
Location: Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Pkwy., Wilmington, DE 19806
Date: November 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
Price: $15 Members, $25 Non-Members, $10 Students
Tickets available here: https://www.delart.org/event/performance-kevin-cope/?instance_id=17396
Solo classical guitarist Kevin Cope, the 2019 Emerging Professional in Music: Solo Recital, performs his own compositions and a few of his favorites from the repertoire.

For more information about the Individual Artist Fellowship Program, please visit:
https://arts.delaware.gov/iafrecipients/

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Contact: Dennis Lawson, Interim Communications Coordinator
302-743-8927 (cell), dennis.lawson@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.