Federal tax incentives available for qualifying investments in Opportunity Zones

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Thursday that communities and economically-distressed properties across Delaware could see additional private sector investment after 25 census tracts were designated as Opportunity Zones by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Earlier this month, Governor Carney nominated the tracts – from Claymont to Laurel – for the federal designation to spur additional private sector investment in Delaware communities. Qualified investors in the zones will become eligible for federal tax incentives. The Delaware sites include a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties that are well-positioned to compete for the significant investment needed in low-income communities across the state.

“Strengthening neighborhoods and communities across Delaware helps improve our economy, stabilize families, and make our state an even better place to live, work and visit,” said Governor Carney. “These Opportunity Zone designations will help build on our ongoing community development efforts, and encourage additional private investment where it can have the most impact – in economically-distressed communities. We look forward to working with private sector partners, and with local leaders across our state, on this important initiative.”

“The Office of State Planning is very excited about the certification of the Delaware Opportunity Zones,” said Connie Holland, Director of the Office of State Planning Coordination. “Working very closely with the Governor’s Office and realizing his mission to lead the state’s economic revitalization, this program will enhance our planning goals through private investment in distressed communities across the State. Delaware communities will see job and economic growth which can only be a benefit to all citizens of Delaware.”

Delaware’s Opportunity Zone tracts include neighborhoods in Wilmington; properties along the Route 9 Corridor in New Castle; areas in Dover, Milford, Georgetown, and Seaford, including the Seaford Nylon Capital Shopping Center; the STAR campus in Newark; and aging industrial sites along the Delaware River in northern New Castle County that are eligible for additional development and cleanup under the Coastal Zone Act.

Many of the newly-designated Opportunity Zone tracts are located within Downtown Development Districts, where investors may already qualify for state investment rebates, local tax abatements, affordable bridge loans, and other state and local incentives. Since the downtown program launched in 2015, roughly $21 million in state-funded investment rebates has leveraged $371 million of additional public and private investment in Dover, Georgetown, Harrington, Laurel, Milford, Seaford, Smyrna and Wilmington. Governor Carney’s recommended Fiscal Year 2019 budget sets aside an additional $8.5 million for the program.

“We look forward to having another tool in Delaware’s toolbox. These economic development incentives are vital to growing jobs and strengthening neighborhoods,” said Anas Ben Addi, Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. “The future Opportunity Zone investments will further amplify the strength of Delaware’s downtown development impact.”

“As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Cinnaire is very excited to potentially facilitate these opportunity zone partnerships and strengthen Delaware’s economy,” said Jim Peffley, Executive Vice President of Cinnaire. “Delaware has been a priority target for most of our investment funds, and we are always seeking ways to bring new resources to the state.”

View a map of Opportunity Zones in Delaware.

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The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is prepared for the winter storm predicted to begin tonight through Thursday. DelDOT’s officials will continue to monitor the most current weather forecasts and dispatch crews. Motorists can anticipate rain, snow and/or sleet today. This evening from 6 PM until 2 AM on Thursday, there’s a chance of heavy mixed precipitation with reductions in visibility and high wind gusts.

Motorists can expect deteriorating road conditions throughout the day on Wednesday.

Motorists may call the Transportation Management Center (TMC) 24/7 to report any travel or traffic related issues at the following numbers: Dial #77 from any cell phone in Delaware; (302) 659-4600; or 1-800-324-8379.

The DelDOT App is available for Apple & Android smart phones and tablets, and can be downloaded free, search for “DelDOT” at the Apple and Google Play stores. With the DelDOT App you can view real time traffic cameras, travel times, delays, advisories, DART’s Real-Time Transit Information, and also listen to WTMC 1380 AM.

For answers to commonly asked questions during a storm event, please visit DelDOT’s Frequently Asked Questions for Snow Removal online at:

https://www.deldot.gov/About/faqs/index.shtml?dc=snowFAQ

Grant will support basic needs closets in 45 high-needs schools throughout Delaware

HARRINGTON, Del. — Governor John Carney on Wednesday, joined by Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, visited Lake Forest South Elementary School to announce a $50,000 grant from Highmark Delaware’s BluePrints for the Community fund to support basic needs closets in schools throughout Delaware.

The funds will help high-needs schools across the state restock their basic needs closets so students have access to clothing, school supplies, hygiene products and other essentials.

“Highmark’s generosity is a perfect example of how community support can make a big difference in the everyday lives of Delaware’s children,” said Governor John Carney. “By meeting students’ basic needs in a dignified way, we are able to ensure children can focus on their learning and be successful. We are grateful for Highmark’s support in this worthy endeavor.”

The grant comes in two installments. The first $25,000 recently was distributed to help school leaders restock the closets for the second half of the academic year. The second $25,000 will come in June so the schools can restock over the summer for the new school year.

“Highmark Delaware is proud to support the basic needs closet. We know our BluePrints for the Community grant will make a difference for children throughout Delaware. When a student’s basic needs are met they are healthier and better able to focus on the important task of learning,” said Tim Constantine, President of Highmark Delaware.

In August, Governor Carney launched the basic needs closets initiative in 45 high-need schools across the state. The stocked closets are a result of the coordinated efforts of Delaware educators, Delaware businesses, Delaware healthcare institutions, and a partnership with First Book.

The basic needs closets provide elementary and middle school students across the state with increased access to free products designed to meet students’ needs so they can effectively participate in class. Each school’s basic needs closet is stocked with products identified by districts and charter schools as essential to the wellbeing of their students. Students are able to discreetly access the closets throughout the school year. The initiative aims to meet students’ basic needs with dignity so they can be ready to learn in class.

“Every year, heroic educators spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to purchase supplies and basics for their students, because they see the needs in front of them every day,” said Kyle Zimmer, President and CEO of First Book. “We applaud the State of Delaware and Governor Carney for a sustained commitment to meet these essential needs, and Highmark for its generous donation to make this sustained commitment possible. This kind of leadership acknowledges that all kids deserve equal access to a quality education.”

Thanks to additional support from Operation Warm, students also were able to receive coats earlier this winter.

Lake Forest leaders said children and their families appreciate access to the needed supplies.

Superintendent Dr. Brenda G. Wynder said Lake Forest South Elementary is honored to receive this funding.

“As a district, we are committed to meeting the educational, emotional, and social needs of our students.  We recognize that supporting our students’ educational and basic needs increases the opportunity for them to be successful,” said Lake Forest Superintendent Dr. Brenda G. Wynder. “We thank Highmark for helping us by providing clothing, school supplies, hygiene products and other essentials to our closet.  We value all our community partnerships and the generosity that they provide the Lake Forest School District and families.”

Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long, who is overseeing the initiative for Governor Carney, said the state will continue to look for ways to coordinate needed supports for students.

“Our children and families have enough things to worry about. School supplies and clothing should never be one of them,” said Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long. “As a community, we have a responsibility to help the most vulnerable among us, which all too often are our children. This grant funding provided by Highmark will help ensure that Delaware students have basic supplies and necessities to be more prepared and more effective in school.”

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Click here to view photos from the announcement.

Governor Carney conducted live demonstration of the system to show enhanced capabilities

NEW CASTLE, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday recognized that Delaware’s 911 centers are now equipped to accept emergency requests for help through text message.

Today Delaware announced that all 911 centers statewide are ready to receive text messages in the time of an emergency.

“There are many emergency situations that occur each day placing our citizens in a position where making a call is not possible,” said Governor Carney. “Text-to-911 is a life-saving technology, giving our citizens one more way to reach out for help when they need it most. This is just another step Delaware is taking to make our communities safer.”

While “Text-to-911” is now available, voice calls to 911 are still the best and fastest way to contact 911 in the event of an emergency.

“Text-to-911” is meant for times when a call to 911 is not possible due to the caller being incapable of speech during an emergency, if the caller is hard of hearing, or if the caller is in a situation where it is not safe to place a voice call.

Recent upgrades to equipment and operating system software in 911 Centers statewide, funded through the State’s E911 Board provided the technology needed to support text messaging. This project transitioned the State’s 911 emergency communications system which operated on copper lines to an internet based system with more flexibility for communication and interoperability.

“As chair of the State’s E911 Board, I am extremely proud of this project as the system permits our 911 Centers to accept texting today and in the future will enable us to accept other types of electronic data including pictures and video,” said Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Robert Coupe. “This project also provides new technology that significantly improves operations for our 911 Centers making emergency communication more reliable and efficient for our citizens and the public safety community.”

To quickly get help through Text-to-911, the first text should be short and include the location of the emergency and ask for police, fire, or ambulance. Texts should be in simple words with no emojis, abbreviations or slang. Texts should also not be included on a group conversation.

“The 911 system has been a literal lifesaver for millions of Americans over the years, and since its introduction in the 1960s, 911 has had to adapt to all sorts of changes in technology, public safety needs, and user habits,” said Sussex County Council President Michael H. Vincent, a longtime volunteer firefighter and member of the State’s E911 board. “There was a time when most calls came from landlines at physical addresses. That’s not true today with everyone carrying a cell phone. So by offering the ‘text-to-911’ feature, Sussex County and Delaware’s 9-1-1 call centers are once again adapting to change, and will now have the latest technology in place to continue providing the critical service our public expects. If one person uses this features and it saves a life, then it proves its worth.”

“Text-to-911 is a critical lifeline for those experiencing domestic violence and for other victims of crimes to reach out for immediate help when making a phone call is simply too dangerous. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability now have a powerful tool to connect with first responders,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “We should all be proud that our public safety leadership across the county and state are embracing wireless technology to provide a more efficient response. Call 911 when you can. Text 911 when you can’t.”

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Download the PDF fact sheet.

Reminder for the week: Deer seasons are ending

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Jan. 15-21 made 1,308 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, issuing 39 citations. Officers responded to 45 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Jan. 15, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Sean K. Moore, 37, of Millsboro, for 14 counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited and four counts of possess or transport antlerless deer that was unlawfully killed, after contacting him while hunting near Dagsboro. Moore was arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on a $28,800 unsecured bond pending a future court appearance in Sussex County Superior Court. As part of the case, 13 firearms and ammunition were seized.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Possess or transport antlerless deer that was unlawfully killed (4), hunting with an unplugged shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (1), hunting on a refuge (1), spotlighting (2), hunting migratory waterfowl with illegal toxic lead shot (1), and must wear hunter orange (1).

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person prohibited (14), possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (2), possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vessel (1), Possession of drug paraphernalia (1), and failure to yield right of way (1).

Other: Littering on a public highway (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (3)*, damaging state property (1)*, and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police want to remind hunters that the deer seasons are coming to an end.

• Archery and Crossbow seasons end Jan. 31
• Muzzleloader season ends Jan. 27

Although deer seasons are ending, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police still encourage the public who witness or has information about a game law violation to report the violator as soon as possible so we can investigate immediately. Some violations that may be witnessed and should be reported include:

• The use of an artificial light to illuminate wildlife, also known as spotlighting, from a motor vehicle for the purpose of hunting or observing, which is illegal.
• Target shooting on state wildlife areas is illegal at all times; target shooting on private property is allowed seven days a week, within the parameters of local, county and state ordinances.
• Witnessing shots fired across a public road or right-of-way, or within 15 yards or closer to a public roadway. (NOTE: Carrying a loaded weapon in a vehicle or vessel also is illegal.)

For more information on the 2017/2018 hunting seasons – including hunter education, licensing, hunting and trapping seasons, limits, regulations, wildlife area information and more, with sections devoted to deer, small game, turkey and migratory birds – click on 2017-2018 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide. Newly updated wildlife area maps with area-specific regulations are available online at Wildlife Area Maps.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913