ICYMI: Governor Carney op-ed in The News Journal: “Innovation is Delaware’s path to jobs and prosperity”

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Sunday published an op-ed in The News Journal titled, “Innovation is Delaware’s path to jobs and prosperity.” In the op-ed, Governor Carney outlines what his administration is doing differently to transition Delaware’s economy, to keep the state competitive, and to make sure Delaware is positioned to create good-paying jobs.

Below is the text from Governor Carney’s op-ed:

CARNEY: “Innovation is Delaware’s path to jobs and prosperity”
By Gov. John Carney

Incyte near Alapocas. Avalanche Industries in Selbyville. Fair Square Financial in Wilmington. ILC Dover in Frederica.

These Delaware-based companies all have this in common: they are relying on innovation to compete in their industries, and create jobs right here in our state.

And that’s something we need more of.

It’s no secret that Delaware’s economy has undergone a period of significant transition.

Since 1990, the percentage of Delaware’s economy consisting of manufacturing jobs has been cut in half.

DuPont now employs fewer than 6,000 people in Delaware, down from more than 30,000.

Automobile manufacturing plants closed in Newport and Newark, and the steel mill in Claymont was shuttered, eliminating job opportunities that existed for generations of Delawareans.

These losses have been difficult for many in our state.

But the bottom line is this: Delaware’s economy has changed and we must change with it.

Our economy has become more entrepreneurial and small-business driven. Innovative companies demand higher-skilled workers, and we’re competing not just with other states, but with other countries, for jobs and talent.

We must do things differently to ensure that Delaware remains a leading state to do business, and create good-paying jobs.

Here’s what my administration is doing to help:

Earlier this year, we partnered with DuPont and the University of Delaware to create the Delaware Innovation Space. This is a nonprofit that offers what many start-ups cannot afford on their own: state-of-the-art laboratories, premium lab equipment, and quality office space.

It uses the campus at DuPont’s Experimental Station near Wilmington. This is the same research campus where Delaware scientists invented Nylon and Kevlar — inventions that powered the company, and supported good-paying Delaware jobs for generations. Delaware entrepreneurs at the Innovation Space now have access to business and scientific leaders at the Experimental Station, mentoring programs, hands-on support and education to help them grow, thrive, and create jobs.

We believe this has the possibility to be transformational for companies housed at the Innovation Space. But we also believe this kind of partnership — one that draws on our state’s economic strengths to support new business and job growth — ought to serve as a model for how we improve Delaware’s economy.

Last week, I visited the Innovation Space, and signed paperwork creating the Delaware Prosperity Partnership — a public-private partnership that will lead business marketing efforts for the state. The Partnership will focus on attracting early-stage and technology-focused businesses, recruitment of large employers, and expansion of international business opportunities for Delaware companies.

The Partnership is the centerpiece of our new economic development strategy to position our state to lead in a 21st century economy.

I am personally committed to this effort.

I will chair the Board of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership. The Partnership’s directors will include members of the business community in all three counties, and it will be run day-to-day by a chief executive officer and a full-time staff.

It will work with employers and Delaware educators to make sure we’re training our students to do the jobs Delaware employers need to fill. The University of Delaware, Delaware Tech, Delaware State University, and other leaders in education, have an important role in preparing Delawareans for the workforce, and positioning Delaware’s economy to succeed.

Government, of course, will continue to play an important role in economic development. Within the Department of State, we have created the new Division of Small Business, Development, and Tourism that will focus on supporting Delaware’s small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Division leaders will provide guidance to small business owners on how to navigate local, state and federal laws and regulations. They will help small businesses identify local incubator programs, financing programs, networking events, and other resources.

And the division will improve the state’s outreach to women, minority and veteran-owned businesses. These businesses are crucial to empowering entrepreneurs and creating economic opportunities in diverse communities.

Importantly, this new state government division also will continue to provide oversight of taxpayer-funded programs that provide incentives for businesses to create new jobs in Delaware, and re-locate here.

We operate in a competitive environment, and it is important that we do not allow other states to out-compete Delaware for jobs. But oversight of these taxpayer-funded incentives belongs in government, and that will not change under our new plan.

This month, I am traveling our state to listen to Delaware’s business leaders on a Jobs & Economy Tour. Alongside members of the General Assembly, I have begun a series of roundtables with small business owners. Already we’ve heard the importance of addressing balanced tax and spending policies and addressing rising healthcare costs for businesses.

We also will tour innovative businesses to learn what has made them successful, and see how we can contribute to their success. I visited The Mill in Wilmington this week. I plan to tour companies like Avalanche Industries in Selbyville.

And we’ll visit the pharmaceutical company Incyte — a real Delaware success story. The company grew out of its space at the DuPont Experimental Station and, later this year, will move hundreds of employees into a renovated headquarters at Augustine Cut-off.

We intend to continue building on this momentum.

We recognize that our economy has fundamentally changed, and we must be willing to adapt to keep pace with changing times. As I said when I took office in January, we can no longer expect any single industry or company to be responsible for Delaware’s economic stability, let alone our future.

We are working hard to transition Delaware’s economy, to keep our state competitive, and to make sure we are positioned to create good-paying jobs. This has to be our top priority.

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Governor Carney Announces Strategic Plan to Restructure Delaware’s Economic Development Efforts

Plan will create new public-private entity and new economic development division at the Department of State

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced a plan on Wednesday to create a public-private partnership and strategically realign Delaware’s economic development efforts, with a new focus on promoting innovation, supporting Delaware’s entrepreneurs, and leveraging private sector resources to create jobs and grow Delaware’s economy.

Governor Carney – who signed Executive Order #1 on his first full day in office to explore a new economic development strategy – will work closely with members of the General Assembly to approve the concept and funding for the public-private entity, as well as a new division at the Department of State to oversee responsibilities for small business development and tourism.

The plan will reorganize Delaware’s economic development efforts by early 2018.

“We can and should do more to promote innovation, support our entrepreneurs, build and retain a talented workforce in Delaware, and strategically partner with the private sector to grow the state’s economy,” said Governor Carney. “This plan will position Delaware to create good-paying jobs, build an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and keep our state a competitive place to do business.”

Governor Carney’s plan calls for the creation of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership – a jointly funded public-private entity that will lead statewide business marketing efforts to recruit and retain businesses, including early-stage technology-based ventures, as well as large employers. The partnership also would provide support for startup businesses, with a focus on high-growth industries, and work closely with employers and education institutions to build and retain a talented workforce in Delaware.

Governor Carney’s plan calls for $2 million in annual state funding for the partnership, and $1 million in annual funding from private business. Contributions from the state would remain contingent on an ongoing, annual financial commitment from the private sector.

The Delaware Prosperity Partnership would be led by a Chief Executive Officer and governed by a 15-member board with members from the public and private sectors.

Governor Carney’s plan also would eliminate the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), and shift responsibilities for small business development and tourism to a new division at the Department of State.

“This is about positioning Delaware to be competitive for good jobs moving forward,” said Jeff Bullock, Delaware’s Secretary of State. “By strategically partnering with the private sector, we can leverage business resources to strengthen the state’s economic development efforts, while continuing to support small business owners and promote our state’s $3 billion tourism industry.”

The new division at the Department of State will maintain a strong focus on supporting small business – especially women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses. It will help business owners identify available resources and navigate local, state and federal rules and regulations.

Division leaders also will administer Delaware’s publicly-funded economic development incentive programs, such as the Strategic Fund, the Main Streets program, and the Blue Collar Workforce Training grant program.

Governor Carney’s plan builds on recommendations last month from the Economic Development Working Group, a committee created by Executive Order #1 to study a new economic development strategy. Exploring a new model for economic development that includes a public-private partnership, and an emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, also was a recommendation of the Action Plan for Delaware.

Reaction to Governor Carney’s Plan:

“Even with the strongest economy in this region, Delaware can do better,” said Senator Jack Walsh, D-Stanton, a member of the Economic Development Working Group. “Bringing leaders from the private sector to the table adds a valuable new perspective to our economic development strategy and will help make our economy more dynamic over time. At the same time, Delaware is maintaining its firm commitment to empowering women, minority, and veteran-owned small businesses. Not all public-private partnerships are created equal, but the balance that we’ve struck here not only protects existing businesses and jobs, but also gives us a leg up in attracting promising new industries to our state.”

“There were two specific things I was looking for in considering this public-private partnership: One was there be a high level of transparency with the intermingling of public and private funds. I was concerned that it be as transparent as possible so the public would have every confidence that things were being done above board,” said Senator Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, a member of the Economic Development Working Group. “The second was to be sure this was not a New Castle County only solution for business development and that both Kent and Sussex Counties also had opportunities to reap the benefits of this new structure, proven to work very well in other states. I am satisfied both those conditions will be met.”

“This venture will put Delaware in a position to leverage the best that the public and private sectors have to offer to continue to strengthen and improve our economic climate,” said Representative Bryon Short, D-Highland Woods, a member of the Economic Development Working Group. “I look forward to working with this new partnership going forward.”

“This is not an end, it is a beginning,” said Representative Lyndon Yearick, R-Dover South, a member of the Economic Development Working Group. “Bringing the pragmatic knowledge of entrepreneurs into the process of creating a better business environment is a major step forward. Now we need to do realize the promise this concept holds for creating new, dynamic employment in Delaware.”

“We know that bringing additional, private-sector resources to Delaware’s economic development efforts can help strengthen our state’s ability to create jobs, grow the economy, and equip our workforce with the skills necessary to succeed in our new economy,” said Mark Brainard, President of Delaware Technical Community College, and co-chair of the Economic Development Working Group. “We are excited to support Governor Carney’s plan and look forward to making Delaware even more competitive moving forward.”

“This plan offers a real chance to dramatically re-think the way Delaware does business – by leveraging additional resources, and bringing more ideas to the table as we seek to grow our economy, attract talent to our state, and create good-paying jobs for all Delawareans,” said Rod Ward, President of Corporation Service Company, and co-chair of the Economic Development Working Group. “Private businesses are ready and willing to be a full partner in this effort, and help create the kind of entrepreneurial, innovation-based economy that will lead to real growth.”

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Related news:
Governor Carney and Legislators Announce Bill to Spur Investment in Innovative Delaware-based Small Businesses
Governor Carney Announces Partnership Between Tourism Office, State Parks and Geoswap to Promote Delaware
Partnership Creates Major Business Incubator & Research Institute at Experimental Station
Delaware Economic Development Working Group Recommends Plan for Public-Private Partnership
Governor Carney Signs Executive Order to Explore Public-Private Partnership at DEDO


Governor Carney and Legislators Announce Bill to Spur Investment in Innovative, Delaware-based Small Businesses

Bipartisan Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act establishes 25 percent tax credit for investments in innovation

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney and legislators in the Delaware House of Representatives on Friday announced new legislation – the Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act – that would establish a refundable tax credit for qualified investors in innovative, Delaware-based small businesses, to spur job creation and innovation.

The bipartisan legislation, House Bill 170, was filed on Wednesday and is sponsored by Representative Michael Ramone. Additional House sponsors include Representative Bryon Short, Representative Melanie George Smith, and Representative Dave Wilson. Senate sponsors include Senate President Pro Tem David McBride and Senator Cathy Cloutier.

“We should do everything we can to support Delaware’s innovators and entrepreneurs who are leading Delaware’s new economy,” said Governor John Carney. “This legislation would encourage investments in innovative, Delaware-based small businesses and connect our most talented entrepreneurs with the resources they need to be successful. Thank you to all the members of the General Assembly who are leading this important initiative.”

“If we in the state are serious about fostering economic development in Delaware, and I believe we are, then the Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act must take effect sooner rather than later,” said Representative Michael Ramone. “The funding that would be available through this legislation is critical in helping scientific or technology small businesses get off the ground and begin operating. This will be the second time we have tried to enact such a measure. I introduced a similar bill last year and I am hopeful, that with the Governor’s support this year, we can enact this important bill.”

“Startup and fledgling businesses often face difficult times in their early stages. An infusion of capital can be the difference between a company thriving and closing up shop,” said Representative Bryon Short. “By encouraging angel investors through a tax credit program, we could be opening an avenue that gives new businesses that shot in the arm they need at a critical time. This is just one more step we can take to help revitalize Delaware’s economy.”

“Our future rests with people whose names we probably don’t even know, who are creating new breakthroughs in science and technology,” said Senate President Pro Tem David McBride. “But those brilliant innovators need help to take their ideas from the drawing board into our homes and businesses. I think this bill creates an avenue to spur that growth and help keep Delaware’s place as a home of innovation and invention.”

“Government doesn’t create jobs, but it can provide incentives to build the businesses that do. I am very excited about this Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act that could give that extra boost to so many of our promising startup companies,” said Senator Cathy Cloutier. “I’m happy to put my support behind it.”

The Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act would establish guidelines for awarding a tax credit worth up to 25 percent of the investment in a qualified, Delaware-based small business. Businesses receiving the investment must pay decent wages, employ fewer than 25 employees, and engage in innovation in one of several areas as its primary business activity.

Qualified business activities include:

  • Using proprietary technology to add value to a product, process, or service in a qualified high-technology field
  • Researching or developing a proprietary product, process, or service in a qualified high-technology field
  • Researching, developing, or producing a proprietary product, process, or service in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, wildlife preservation, environmental science, financial technology, or transportation
  • Researching, developing, or producing a new proprietary technology for use in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, financial technology, or transportation

The Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act has been assigned to the Economic Development Committee in the Delaware House of Representatives.

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Related news:
Governor Carney Announces Partnership Between Tourism Office, State Parks and Geoswap to Promote Delaware
Partnership Creates Major Business Incubator & Research Institute at Experimental Station
Delaware Economic Development Working Group Recommends Plan for Public-Private Partnership
Governor Carney Signs Executive Order to Explore Public-Private Partnership at DEDO


State Announces Almost $1.5 Million in District, Charter Grants for Innovative Improvement Projects

The Delaware Department of Education is announcing 14 grants to schools and districts across the state. Totaling almost $1.5 million, they will fund innovative practices and projects proposed by teachers and education leaders to support increased academic student growth.

“As our state raises expectations for student achievement, we are looking to our teachers and school leaders for innovative ways to meet those higher standards. They understand how to help all of our young people get the skills they need to compete for colleges and careers,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “I applaud the recipients of these grants for their commitment to finding the most effective ways to give students the best chance to reach their potential.”

State officials selected the winners from among 74 applications for the new grant opportunity, which was announced in June<http://www.doe.k12.de.us/news/2013/0624.shtml>.

“These grants are intended to bring true innovation into the classroom and to our children by supporting promising projects that have been developed and will be led by our teachers and leaders. The educators working closest with our children have told us what their students need,” Secretary of Education Mark Murphy said. “We are committed to supporting their work in this way and will be following their progress closely. We look forward to learning from the strong practices demonstrated through this program.”

The purpose of the program is to:

1)      Provide opportunity for innovative and promising teacher-led projects that drive improved student outcomes

2)      Provide opportunity for innovative and promising projects for strong Common Core implementation and assessment

3)      Provide opportunity for innovative and promising projects around student supports and dramatically improved school climate; and/or

4)      Provide opportunity for innovative and promising strategies to accelerate underachieving groups of students

The $1,486,143 in grants, funded from department school improvement money, will be for implementation during the 2013-2014 school year. The grant recipient will be expected to provide information on the outcome of the practice or initiative to other districts and charter schools.

The awardees are:

•         Gallaher Elementary School (Christina School District): $116,029 for GOALS (Gallaher’s Outstanding Approach to Learning and Student-Improvement) Program, which will target the necessary prerequisite skills in reading and mathematics to allow all students to have equitable access to the skills needed to master the Common Core State Standards. For example, in reading those skills include decoding, fluency and basic comprehension.

•         POLYTECH High School (POLYTECH School District): $143,000 for Specific & Innovative Improvement Practices at POLYTECH High School, including instructional interventions, professional development and social-emotional supports. Specifically, the grant will fund: SpringBoard Enrichment Period curriculum training and materials; Lexile appropriate and Common Core State Standards-aligned trade books; Common Core State Standards teacher resources, professional development and site visits; Career and Technical Education programming development; and interactive technology.

•         North Laurel Elementary and Laurel Intermediate schools (Laurel School District): $149,974 for i-Impact, which will provide student-specific skill instruction, reinforcement and remediation to all students in grades 2 to 6 via technololgy (iPods and iPads) in in school and at home. About 1,050 students will benefit.

•         BRINC (Brandywine, Indian River, New Castle County Vo-Tech and Colonial school districts): $600,000 for Linking to the Future, supporting personalized learning opportunities for students at Brandywine’s Brandywine, Concord and Mt. Pleasant high schools; Colonial’s William Penn High School; New Castle County Vo-Tech’s Delcastle, Hodgson, Howard and St. Georges high schools; and Indian River’s Indian River and Sussex Central high schools. BRINC envisions that students will be able to compare data about their progress against their learning goals, be exposed to new blended learning strategies for anywhere, anytime learning and have more options for non-traditional learning, such as online courses.

•         Brandywine, Concord and Mount Pleasant high schools (Brandywine School District): $26,500 for Increasing Student College and Career Readiness in the Courses of Biology and AP Biology, funding texts and professional development for teachers and classroom materials for students to offer students a true inquiry approach in their biology instruction.

•         Chipman Middle School (Lake Forest School District): $17,714 for Engaging Students in History through Common Core, a classroom project that will provide students with opportunities to read and analyze primary and secondary source materials to engage them in the study of U.S. history through the eyes of the people who actually lived it and witnessed it.

•         Stanton Middle School (Red Clay Consolidated School District): $45,083 for Implementing a Trauma-Informed System of Care for Stanton Middle School, aiming to improve school culture and social competence of students by training teachers in The Heart of Learning and Teaching: Compassion, Resiliency, and Academic Success framework and coaching in the collaborative problem solving process.  The grant also will fund universal screening for behavioral deficits and targeted intervention planning for all students.

•         A.I. duPont middle and high schools (Red Clay Consolidated School District): $39,000 for A.I. duPont Astronomy Cooperative Initiative, creating a cooperative high school/middle school partnership to allow rising 7th and 8th graders the middle school to work with students at the high school to create public presentations focused on Earth resources and astronomy. They will utilize the planetarium at the middle school and observatory on the roof of the high school, which will receive a new dome.

•         Warner Elementary School (Red Clay Consolidated School District): $24,099 for WIZ (Warner Inspiration Zone), expanding the school’s fourth and fifth grade club period to second and third grades. Last year’s clubs focused on topics such as math, LEGO Robotics, Science Olympiad, poetry, Spanish and agriculture.

•         Brittingham and Shields elementary schools (Cape Henlopen School District): $48,012 for Bridging the Gaps through Blended Learning, creating a district consortium to help close a socio-economic divide in the district. Focusing on fifth grade, the project will support teacher collaboration and training. Students will use digitial media and blended learning.

•         A.I. duPont, Dickinson, McKean, Conrad, Cab Calloway, Delaware Military Academy and Wilmington Charter high schools (Red Clay Consolidated School District): $70,500 for 11th grade SAT Prep Evening Program, offering free SAT prep classes to all juniors in the district over a 10-week period beginning in January and concluding before the state SAT administration in April. Transportation and materials will be provided. The program will run in five locations on different nights so students have a choice.

•         H.B. duPont Middle School (Red Clay Consolidated School District): $32,710 for CELEB (Cognitiave and Emotional Learning and Esteem Building) Program, authored by Wilmington Pastor Derrick Johnson. The goals of the program are to reduce bullying, improve academic performance and decrease suspension rates. The grant will fund two five-week programs, one in the fall/winter and one in the winter/spring for students who are cultural minorities, free and reduced lunch-eligible and Wilmington city residents.

•         All Red Clay elementary and middle schools (Red Clay Consolidated School District): $122,600 for 4th to 6th Grade Partnership Institute, which will expand and deepen educator content knowledge related to the Common Core State Standards, creating vertical teams spanning fourth to sixth grades and incorporating educators from all 23 elementary and middle schools.

•         Gateway Charter School (charter): $50,922 for Expansion of Reading Workshop Model, which targets special education students among others for the reading program. It incorporates the use of technology to enhance the child’s reading experience. Teacher training, parental involvement and other family literacy learning supplements the program.

 

“I am ecstatic about the awarding of this grant to BRINC,” said Dr. Mark Holodick, superintendent of the Brandywine School District.  “The four districts have spent a great deal of time developing this plan – a plan that will lead to a more individualized approach to teaching and learning.  This will include such opportunities as distance learning, online courses, and dual enrollment opportunities with higher education. This blended learning environment is enticing to students on many levels, one of which is that it empowers students to master material in a manner and at a pace that best suits their learning style. We are grateful to the Secretary and Department for their support.”