Governor Carney, Delaware Prosperity Partnership Announce Interim CEO

John Riley will help develop strategic plan and lead search for permanent leader

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday announced that John Riley, a former state Director of Business Development, will serve as interim CEO of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership – the newly-established public-private partnership that will lead the state’s economic development efforts.

In the position, Riley will help launch operations, develop a strategic plan for the new nonprofit, and conduct a search for a permanent chief executive.

“John is well-known and respected across our state, and has significant experience in economic development,” said Governor Carney, who will serve as co-chair of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership board. “I’m pleased he has agreed to help us launch the partnership. We are committed to changing the way we do business, fostering innovation, and growing our economy. I’m confident John will help position the partnership to succeed.”

“Establishment of this entity was a critical step to enhance the state’s ability to attract, grow and retain companies; to build a stronger entrepreneurial culture and to support private employers in identifying, recruiting and developing talent,” said Rod Ward, President of CSC and co-chair of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership board. “As Interim CEO, John will work with the board on the recruitment of a permanent CEO and development of a strategic plan for Delaware.”

“Thank you to Governor Carney and the entire board of the partnership for this opportunity,” said John Riley. “Delaware has great assets – a talented workforce, a strategic location along I-95, responsive leadership, and great communities up and down our state. I look forward to doing everything I can to attract investment and additional good-paying jobs to our state, and setting up this new partnership to succeed in helping grow our economy.”

Riley served as Director of Business Development under then-Governor Thomas R. Carper. He retired from Ashland where he was Director of Government Relations and previously served as Director of Public Affairs for Hercules Incorporated. Riley has continued to be active in economic development and assisted Governor Jack Markell’s Administration with Delaware’s strategy in responding to the DuPont-Dow merger.

Members of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership board approved the hiring of Riley at an organizational meeting this week.

Governor Carney, who took office in January, has made it a top priority to restructure Delaware’s economic development efforts, and strategically partnering with the private sector on economic growth was a key recommendation of the Governor’s Action Plan for Delaware. Last month, Governor Carney signed House Bill 226, creating the Delaware Prosperity Partnership and a new division within the Department of State to support small business growth.

The Delaware Prosperity Partnership will be run day-to-day by the chief executive officer and a full-time staff. The nonprofit will lead business marketing efforts for the state, with a focus on attracting early-stage and technology-focused businesses, recruitment of large employers, and expansion of international business opportunities for Delaware companies. Its leaders also will work with employers and Delaware educators to fill key talent gaps in the state. The state will jointly fund the partnership’s operations with private business.

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Governor Carney’s Statement on Graham-Cassidy Health Care Legislation in U.S. Senate

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday released the following statement on the Graham-Cassidy Health Care legislation in the U.S. Senate, which could cost Delaware more than $2 billion in federal funding reductions by 2026, cuts that would reduce access to quality health care and shift costs onto Delaware families and the state budget:

“This bill would be a disaster for Delaware seniors, Delawareans with disabilities, and children and adults in low-income households who depend on Medicaid as their connection to care. It would force our Medicaid program to limit eligibility, cut benefits or pay a far greater share of the cost for the Delawareans who are covered today. This bill also would eliminate the Affordable Care Act’s federal assistance for individuals and families buying coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace, raising premiums for most of the 27,000 Delawareans who get their coverage there. This bill is clearly the wrong direction for Delaware and the wrong direction for our country.”

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Governor Carney Announces Appointments to Board of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Public-private partnership will lead economic development, business marketing and recruitment for Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced appointments to the board of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership – the public-private partnership that will lead Delaware’s economic development efforts, and business marketing and recruitment for the state. Board members represent a cross-section of Delaware’s economy – with representatives from Delaware’s financial industry, leading corporations, the nonprofit sector, higher education, and the legal community.

Governor Carney will co-chair the partnership’s board alongside Rod Ward, President of CSC.

“Collectively, this group of leaders from across our state will ensure that Delaware is positioned to create good-paying jobs, to attract talent, and to lead in a 21st century economy,” said Governor Carney. “As co-chair, I will remain closely involved in the direction of the partnership, and Delaware’s economic development efforts. And we will focus on promoting innovation, attracting technology-focused jobs to Delaware, connecting entrepreneurs with available resources, and building a talented workforce. Thank you to Rod Ward for agreeing to co-chair this group, and to all of those who have agreed to serve.”

“We are extremely pleased with the Governors foresight and leadership in establishing a public-private partnership to expand economic development here in Delaware,” said Ward. “Increasing business community involvement and support was one of the major recommendations of the Delaware Business Roundtable’s Delaware Growth Agenda. The board appointed by the Governor for the Delaware Prosperity Partnership is ready to roll up their sleeves and work to attract new business and entrepreneurs into our state.”

Governor Carney, who took office in January, has made it a top priority to restructure Delaware’s economic development efforts, and strategically partnering with the private sector on economic growth was a key recommendation of the Governor’s Action Plan for Delaware. Last month, Governor Carney signed House Bill 226, creating the Delaware Prosperity Partnership and a new division within the Department of State to support small business growth.

The Delaware Prosperity Partnership – which will be run day-to-day by a chief executive officer and a full-time staff – will lead business marketing efforts for the state, with a focus on attracting early-stage and technology-focused businesses, recruitment of large employers, and expansion of international business opportunities for Delaware companies. Its leaders also will work with employers and Delaware educators to fill key talent gaps in the state. The state will jointly fund the partnership’s operations with private business.

Partnership board members include:

Governor John Carney (co-chair)

Rod Ward, President, CSC (co-chair)
Desmond Baker, Founder, Desmond A. Baker & Associates
Alan Brangman, Executive Vice President, University of Delaware
Patrick Callahan, Founder, CompassRed
Eric Cheek, Associate Vice President, Delaware State University
Doneene Damon, Executive Vice President, Richards, Layton, & Finger
Jeanmarie Desmond, Co-Controller, DowDuPont
Robert Herrera, Co-Founder, The Mill
Nick Lambrow, President of Delaware Region, M&T Bank
Senator Greg Lavelle, Delaware State Senate
Greg Moore, Vice President, Becker Morgan Group
Lori Palmer, Ventures Executive Leader, Trellist Marketing Technology
Rob Rider, CEO, O.A. Newton
Representative Bryon Short, Delaware House of Representatives
Richelle Vible, Executive Director, Catholic Charities
Senator Jack Walsh, Delaware State Senate
Representative Lyndon Yearick, Delaware House of Representatives

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Governor Carney to Discuss Delaware’s Economy in Kent and Sussex

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney will visit Kent and Sussex counties on Tuesday for three events to discuss the state’s economy with Delawareans and business leaders.

Tuesday, September 19

Kent County Economic Summit – The Power of Partnerships

This event is open to the press.

WHAT: Governor Carney will deliver remarks at the Kent County Economic Summit in Dover. The purpose of the summit is to advance the common goal of improving the economic life in Kent County, Delaware.

WHO: Governor John Carney

Cerron Cade, Acting Director, Delaware Division of Small Business, Development and Tourism

Dr. Mark Brainard, President, Delaware Technical Community College

Dr. June Turansky, Vice President and Campus Director, Delaware Technical Community College

Delaware Technical Community College

WHEN: Tuesday, September 19, 2017

11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Delaware Technical Community College, Terry Campus

Education and Technology Building, Del-One Conference Center

Dover, DE 19904

Small Business Roundtable – Jobs & Economy Tour

This event is open to the press.

WHAT: Governor Carney will deliver remarks at a Small Business Roundtable with Representative Peter Schwartzkopf, Speaker of the House, in Lewes. This roundtable, a stop on Governor Carney’s Jobs & Economy Tour, offers the opportunity for engagement and discussions with small business owners in and near the 14th Representative District.

WHO: Governor John Carney

Representative Peter Schwartzkopf, Speaker of the House

Delaware Small Business Owners

WHEN: Tuesday, September 19, 2017

2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Bethany Blues

18385 Coastal Highway

Lewes, DE 19958

Lewes Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Installation Dinner

This event is open to the press

WHAT: Governor Carney will deliver remarks at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Installation Dinner.

WHO: Governor John Carney

Lewes Chamber of Commerce members

WHEN: Tuesday, September 19, 2017

6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Lewes Yacht Club

2701 Cedar Street

Lewes, DE 19958

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Delaware Marks Completion of POW/MIA Parkway in Dover

New West Dover Connector to improve multi-modal travel in Kent County

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday was joined by U.S. Senator Thomas Carper, U.S. Senator Christopher Coons, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan and a gathering of local officials, veterans and families to dedicate the completion of the POW/MIA Parkway in Dover.

The POW/MIA Parkway, also known as the West Dover Connector, provides direct connections for multiple recreational facilities, residential areas, commercial centers, and medical facilities. In addition, non-motorized recreational connections were created between Breck Nock Park, Schutte Park, Kent County Parks and Recreational Center, and the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club. This project consists of approximately 3.2 miles of newly constructed roadway that runs from North Street to U.S. 13.

Construction on the $67.9 million project began in February 2015. Over the next six years, DelDOT will invest more than $3.4 billion on infrastructure across Delaware.

“With the opening of the POW/MIA Parkway today, we honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Governor Carney. “This project also represents a significant investment in transportation infrastructure in Kent County that will alleviate congestion, and improve travel throughout the Dover area. Importantly, these types of investments create jobs and spur economic development in communities up and down our state. Thank you to members of the General Assembly and members of Delaware’s federal delegation for their support and leadership on this issue.”

“As a local resident, I am so excited for the long-awaited opening of the POW/MIA Parkway, and the convenience it will provide to thousands of residents. I’m also proud that in Kent County with such a proud military history, we are honoring those who were Prisoners Of War, as well as those who are Missing In Action, and their families,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

“Our veterans deserve to be remembered and honored every day, and this is such a special way to remind Delawareans of the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper, a 23-year veteran of the Navy. “This investment is also a great example of how the federal government can work with state governments to complete projects that improve our communities while also creating good jobs.”

“Today’s dedication of the POW/MIA Parkway was fitting being that it is POW/MIA Remembrance Day,” said U.S. Senator Coons. “This completion of road will greatly improve the quality of life easing traffic in Kent County. Congratulations to Governor Carney, Secretary Cohan, and everyone who helped complete the project.”

U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester said, “I can think of no more appropriate occasion to open the POW/MIA connector. The POW/MIA logo is among the most powerful in our country’s history. This connector will serve as a daily reminder to Delawareans of the heroes who have sacrificed for our freedom and will help us fulfill our pledge to Prisoners Of War and those still Missing In Action; that we will never forget.”

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, World War II Brigadier General Reynolds and Mrs. Reynolds were the first officials to travel across the roadway. They were followed by additional veterans and members of local veterans organizations.

DelDOT will allow non-motorized use of the POW/MIA Parkway Friday through 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16. The remaining road barriers will be removed and the POW/MIA Parkway will be open to motorists after 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Improvements were made at the US 13 intersection with signal upgrades and additional turn lanes. Auxiliary connections to New Burton Road and Wyoming Mill Road will accommodate access to the new roadway with improvements to those existing roadways to facilitate turning movements. The existing intersection of North Street and Saulsbury Road was upgraded to accommodate additional through and turning lanes for projected traffic volumes.

Multi-modal facilities are provided on the POW/MIA Parkway shoulders and an offset multi-use path. DART facilities were also installed at key locations to facilitate new bus routes along the roadway.

Additional infrastructure projects either in design or under construction include the new U.S. 301, I-95 viaduct rehabilitation, the Camden Bypass, a new Christina River Bridge, improvements to the Claymont Train Station, improvements to the Newark Regional Transportation Center, improvements to the Wilmington Transit Center, and the widening of Route 1 from Route 273 to the Roth Bridge.

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