DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney and State Chief Information Officer Jason Clarke of the Department of Technology and Information (DTI) on Thursday announced $56 million in Broadband Infrastructure Grants to begin making high-speed wired broadband connections available to every Delaware home. The award recipients, Comcast, Verizon and Mediacom, are current State of Delaware service providers with existing broadband infrastructure that responded to a grant application released in October 2021. The three companies will extend their existing coverage areas to serve more than 11,600 Delaware homes and businesses which do not have access to high-speed, wired broadband service. Construction is expected to begin in the next few weeks.

Broadband Infrastructure Grant Awards:

• Comcast – $33.1 million
• Verizon – $11.8 million
• Mediacom – $11.1 million

“Stable, high-speed internet connection is important for all Delaware families, students, and businesses,” said Governor Carney. “Now, with the availability of federal funds, we are on our way to giving Delawareans across the state access to connect to school, work, health care, and more. Thank you to the Department of Technology and Information working toward our goal of being the first state to connect every residence and business to broadband internet.”

Over the next 36 months, Comcast, Verizon and Mediacom will build out and extend current infrastructure to deliver fixed, wireline internet access with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, provide 100 megabits per second (100 Mbps) download and 20 megabits per second (20 Mbps) upload.

Delawareans can find out if their area has internet access and report addresses that do not using Delaware’s Broadband Hub (https://gis.broadband.delaware.gov/). DTI plans to update the interactive map with expansion project updates and real-time data. Addresses reported as lacking service during the construction phase will be included within the current project.

“Expanding access to reliable broadband service has long been a priority for Delaware,” said Chief Information Officer of the Delaware Department of Technology and Information Jason Clarke. “Thanks to our ability to leverage funding made available from Congress and the President and with the support of Governor Carney, we are excited to execute on the strategy of our stakeholders and our well-positioned vendor community to close the digital divide in Delaware.” 

The Broadband Infrastructure Grants are part of the $110 million commitment to broadband infrastructure Governor Carney announced in August 2021. Funding for this initiative comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, both of which were supported by the Delaware congressional delegation –  Senator Tom Carper, Senator Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester – and signed into law by President Biden. 

The grants cover up to 75 percent of the capital construction costs, with the internet service providers contributing a minimum 25 percent match. Selections were made based on an efficient edge-out strategy extending the services of current vendors to close broadband gaps as outlined in the Delaware Broadband Strategic Plan. This plan was developed by a diverse group of stakeholders with representation from the public and private sector across the state. Applicants had to be current State of Delaware service providers with existing broadband infrastructure to be eligible for the grant.

“We are thrilled to be given this opportunity to expand Mediacom’s fiber network and increase high-speed broadband access within Delaware,” said Chris Lord, Mediacom’s Director of Government Partnerships. “The staff at the Delaware Department of Technology and Information created an amazingly efficient application process that effectively utilizes public resources to encourage private investment while leveraging existing fiber infrastructure.”  

“Verizon is excited to participate in Delaware’s Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, ” said Tony Lewis, Vice President of Public Policy for Verizon. “This Grant will help Verizon deploy our best in class all-fiber network technology to deliver our flagship Fios Home Internet service — with speeds up to 940 Mbps and no data caps —  to roughly 3,000 additional unserved locations. We appreciate the leadership of Governor Carney and the other State officials in quickly and aggressively implementing the federal funding that President Biden and Congress have made available to help close the digital divide. We look forward to a continued partnership with the State for this and future programs that will flow from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

“We’re proud to partner with the state of Delaware and continue our investment to bring our fiber-rich network and advanced services to residents up and down the state,” said Michael Parker, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Beltway Region. “This partnership will bolster the hundreds of millions of dollars Comcast has already invested in the state to connect thousands of currently unserved homes to our gigabit speed fiber network. Technology is a powerful driver of innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth, and we’re committed to helping individuals and communities fully participate in the digital economy.”

For more information on investments with American Rescue Plan Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, visit de.gov/rescueplan and de.gov/infrastructure.

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WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) on Tuesday announced almost $17 million in financial support for Delawareans impacted by the COVID-19 emergency, as well as health care professionals at DHSS’ 24/7 facilities.

The new support, which also will expand COVID vaccinations and testing, and provide housing assistance for vulnerable Delawareans, is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA was championed in Congress by members of Delaware’s congressional delegation – Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester – and signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021.

“It’s been two years since we saw our first COVID-19 case in Delaware. Our dedicated teams at the Department of Health and Social Services have been on the frontlines of our battle against the virus. These ARPA investments will continue building on their great work in responding and mitigating the virus across our state,” said Governor Carney. “We have provided significant funding to DHSS because of the tremendous dedication, sacrifice and innovation of our public health professionals. Thank you to Senator Carper, Senator Coons and Representative Blunt Rochester for their advocacy and efforts on the American Rescue Plan Act that will help Delaware recover from this pandemic.”

“The pandemic has affected all Delawareans, but some communities have been hit particularly hard and are still struggling to recover. The heart of the American Rescue Plan is to help those folks who have borne the brunt of this battle,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “I applaud Governor Carney and Secretary Magarik for directing these vital funds to take care of our most vulnerable Delawareans and those who serve them.”

“A year after The American Rescue Plan Act passed and went to President Biden’s desk, it continues to provide critical funding for our state to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and build our communities’ resiliency,” said U.S. Senator Coons. “I’m grateful for the unwavering dedication from DHSS, Governor Carney, and the entire congressional delegation in doing everything possible to support pandemic relief efforts.”

“The almost $17 million in funding announced today for DHSS is another example of how the historic American Rescue Plan Act, which I voted for and was passed one year ago this week, continues to provide much-need support to Delawareans in need,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “Ensuring that our most vulnerable Delawareans have the resources they need – retention payments, housing, vaccines, etc. – continues to be of the utmost importance to me, and I commend Governor Carney and DHSS for staying committed to this mission throughout the First State to help us recover from this pandemic.”

“These funds address the true intent of ARPA where they will have the greatest impact by helping homebound citizens, childcare centers, homeless individuals and our health and social services workers on the frontlines fighting COVID. As we continue to recover from COVID, we will provide vaccines to homebound persons, expand testing to childcare centers, work on retaining our health workforce, and provide housing supports to those impacted by the pandemic,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Ph.D., R.N. “As a nurse, I have witnessed firsthand the bravery and dedication of our health care workforce and I want to thank the Congressional leaders for the funds. These much needed federal funds are going to directly help those who need help the most. That is how we will continue to build a stronger, healthier, equitable state.”

“As we begin this chapter of recovery, we are grateful to the Governor and the congressional delegation for their continued support of Delawareans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik. “Too many individuals and families remain vulnerable in our state, including those in low-income communities, people of color, and older Delawareans and individuals with disabilities. This round of federal funding will help meet their ongoing needs and also support DHSS in retaining critical direct-care workforce in our 24/7 facilities, who care for vulnerable Delawareans with compassion and dedication every day.”

The new round of ARPA-funded projects related to DHSS includes:

• Retention payments ($6.7 million): In response to the shortage of health care workers in Delaware and nationwide, DHSS is providing quarterly retention payments to RNs, LPNs, CNAs and other direct-care staff at its 24/7 facilities.
• Housing assistance ($6 million): To keep hundreds of Delaware families impacted by the crisis in motels and hotels and other temporary housing services, this funding will allow more families to begin the transition from emergency housing to permanent housing. 
• COVID testing in child care centers ($1.5 million): In partnership with the Delaware Department of Education, funding will provide for COVID-19 testing at early childhood development and education centers. Quidel, which has provided rapid antigen testing at Delaware’s K-12 schools beginning in 2021, will expand its services to child care centers.
• Housing for vulnerable pregnant women ($1.5 million): The Division of Public Health will support a housing model with wraparound services to serve pregnant women who housing insecure.
• Homebound COVID vaccine hotline ($1.1 million): For older Delawareans and individuals with disabilities who have difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccine locations, DHSS is expanding its existing program, which delivers vaccines to people who are homebound, in partnership with independent pharmacies, pharmacist contractors, and nursing students and their supervisors. Delawareans can be assessed for an at-home vaccine or booster by calling DHSS’ toll-free hotline at 1-888-491-4988.
• Emergency supplies for families ($194,000): For families enrolled in home visiting programs, contractors through the Division of Public Health will provide emergency supplies, including face masks, hand sanitizer, no-touch thermometers, diapers, infant formula, food and water. 

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Funds for Nine Libraries Across the State

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced Thursday $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to be distributed to libraries throughout all three counties.

The investments are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Relief Fund, which was championed by Delaware’s Congressional Delegation – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, along with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. ARPA was passed by Congress and then signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11.

Capital Relief projects under ARPA must meet strict criteria to be eligible for funding. That includes funding projects that specifically enable work, education, and health monitoring – and respond to issues created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved Delaware’s plans to invest in libraries statewide. Additional capital awards funded by ARPA will be announced soon.

“Children and families will benefit from these investments for generations to come,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware’s libraries serve our communities with resources, collaboration and creativity. Many of these investments are in our communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the central role libraries serve in our communities as hubs for job training, employment searches, education, COVID-19 test kit distributions and vaccination sites. I want to thank the Congressional delegation for their advocacy and look forward to seeing significant results from these investments.”

“When we were crafting the American Rescue Plan, we were looking at ways to make investments that will have a lasting impact for generations to come,” said Senator Tom Carper. “When we invest in our libraries, we are really helping someone find a job, providing a safe place for the community to gather and learn, and giving people access to resources that they wouldn’t normally have. I am proud of Governor Carney’s commitment to strengthening communities through investing in our much-needed libraries.” 

“Libraries house centuries of learning, information sharing, and free access to educational resources,” said Senator Chris Coons. “Investing in our libraries begins the next chapter for greater public education, social uplift, and a principled commitment to helping Delawareans fight the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m proud to support Governor Carney and my congressional delegation in recognizing the value of our libraries and their role in our social infrastructure and community health.”

“Libraries across our state and country play such a vital role in the communities they serve. Whether it’s giving Delawareans access to countless literary titles, serving as a meeting place for local organizations, to serving as an area of inspiration for the arts and the humanities – libraries are vital to the well-being of our communities,” said Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester. “That’s why I’m so thrilled to join Governor Carney and my congressional colleagues in announcing this much-needed investment in Delaware libraries – so that these pillars of our communities can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

“Our libraries are so much more than a place to check out books. They really are gateways for learning and discovery and allow our communities to come together and access so many vital services,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “I am so proud of the incredible contributions our libraries continue to make to our communities. Delaware libraries are setting the example for others to follow in the fight against COVID-19 and serving to make our state stronger and healthier. Thanks to Governor Carney and the congressional delegation, the impact from these investments, made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act, will be felt for generations to come.”

The $40 million of investments announced will improve nine libraries across the state. This funding will be used for new construction and improvements to existing structures, including:

• $7 million to the Selbyville Library for a new building
• $5.6 million to the Harrington Library for a new building
• $750,000 to the Lewes Public Library for a new outdoor pavilion
• $900,000 to the Milford Public Library for updates to HVAC, filtration, and ventilation
• $250,000 to the Georgetown Public Library for updates to HVAC, filtration, and ventilation
• $7.8 million to the Friends of Duck Creek Regional Library to build an expanded library
• $11 million to the North Wilmington Library for a new building
• $4 million to the Newark Public Library for a new building
• $3 million to the Rehoboth Beach Public Library for upgrades

“Governor Carney’s strategic investment in libraries supports equity for communities throughout the state,” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian. “Delaware Libraries are shovel-ready to strengthen the social services infrastructure for digital equity, workforce development, and more statewide.”

The Governor’s Recommended Bond Bill for FY 2023 announced in late January includes an additional $26.8 million in state funding to match the federal funding for the five new libraries.

For a full list of Delaware’s ARPA allocations, click here.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Small Business announced Thursday more than $7.7 million in funding awards to seven organizations as part of the recovery effort for the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries. 

The funds are part of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $750 million American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program, which provided $510 million in State Tourism grants and $240 million in Competitive Tourism grants to be awarded to advance the economic recovery and resiliency of communities where the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries were hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Delaware received over $7 million of those funds and announced a request for proposals (RFPs) in November.

“Delaware’s tourism industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to face challenges as it rebuilds,” said Governor Carney. “The organizations receiving funding today will provide a boost to the industry by maintaining quality jobs and encouraging travelers to visit our state’s many destinations.”

“The $3.2 billion tourism industry in Delaware employs more than 44,000 people and is an important part of our state’s workforce and economy. It is critical that we do everything we can to support the industry,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “The organizations receiving the funds today have found creative solutions to help our state’s tourism industry recover from the pandemic and prepare for future challenges.”

“A robust arts and culture industry is directly linked to Delaware’s tourism industry and to our state’s overall economic recovery from COVID-19,” said Delaware Arts Alliance interim executive director Lorraine Poling. “Our team has created a comprehensive and thoughtful plan to use these funds to engage our communities and assist the tourism industry in rebuilding and remaining sustainable into the future.”

The funding announced on Thursday will provide:

• $1 million to the Delaware Arts Alliance to produce an interactive, publicly available map of Delaware’s creative economy; create comprehensive recovery plans for Delaware’s Opportunity Zones; and perform an economic impact study.
• $1.7 million to Delaware State University in collaboration with the University of Delaware to expand current programs, including DSU’s Hospitality & Tourism Management degree, to support the rebuilding of the travel and tourism industry in Delaware. Funds will also be used to create familiarization tours for a targeted audience of national as well as international admission officers and other officials who make recommendations to students and parents regarding colleges or universities in the U.S. Tours will target those students interested in tourism-related industries, including hotel and restaurant management, facilities management, museum studies, and culinary arts.
• $751,262 to the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for a multi-faceted “Welcome All” regional campaign targeting travelers along the eastern corridor from New York to Virginia. The campaign will highlight the many diverse treasures of New Castle County, the City of Wilmington, and the region’s unique neighborhoods.
• $334,999 to Kent County Tourism for a comprehensive advertising and marketing program to increase awareness and promote unique Kent County offerings. Marketing and advertising efforts will also focus on growing the group market, particularly military reunions tied to the AMC museum and Dover Air Force Base. In addition, marketing efforts will also include website upgrades.
• $400,000 to Southern Delaware Tourism for a comprehensive advertising and marketing plan to promote overnight visitation to Sussex County as well as a publicity program to promote Southern Delaware’s Culinary Coast™.
• $300,000 to the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation for a comprehensive marketing campaign to draw even greater tourism activity from out-of-state visitors to Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville. Marketing efforts will include but are not limited to television, radio, social media and billboard and signage enhancements. The project also proposes updating the foundation’s economic impact study, which was last updated in 2018.
• $3.25 million to the Riverfront Development Corporation (RDC) to “Light Up the Riverfront” by painting and installing LED lights along the railroad bridges surrounding the Wilmington Riverfront and installing lighting on trees, bushes and structures along the Riverwalk, with themed displays and projection art throughout the year. The RDC will also use the funds to create a regional marketing plan and visitor incentives for the new light installations utilizing its existing Riverfront Wilmington app.

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Support will facilitate world-class educational and research lab focused on human diseases at University of Delaware, train nurses at Delaware State University, build child care center at Delaware Tech

WILMINGTON, Del. –  Governor John Carney and Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long on Wednesday announced $107 million for Delaware colleges and universities to support pandemic-related projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). 

The funding announced on Tuesday will provide: 

• $41 million for the University of Delaware.  
• $33 million for Delaware State University. 
• $33 million for Delaware Technical Community College.  

ARPA was championed in Congress by members of Delaware’s congressional delegation — Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester — and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11. 

Visit de.gov/rescueplan to learn more about how the American Rescue Plan Act is helping in Delaware. 

“Delaware’s institutions of higher education are helping us rebuild from the pandemic and will put this funding to good use,” said Governor Carney. “This support will help train new nurses, public health professionals and child care workers, facilitate a state-of-the-art laboratory at the University of Delaware, establish a center to study health disparities at Delaware State University and strengthen child care and health care programs at Delaware Technical Community College. Thank you to members of our federal delegation and President Joe Biden for fighting for these important resources.” 

“Our institutions of higher education are excellent partners to help us build a stronger and healthier Delaware,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN. “A new world class infectious disease lab will place Delaware at the forefront of cutting-edge research as we develop ways to help protect the health of our families. The COVID-19 pandemic has ripped the curtain back on the glaring health disparities our different communities are experiencing. These investments with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act will go a long way toward eliminating those inequities, while building and expanding a workforce of healthcare professionals and childcare workers to support that mission.”

“I’m pleased to see that critical funds from the American Rescue Plan Act will help Delaware make investments in childcare, nurses, and medical research that will move us out of this pandemic,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “I was proud to support this legislation and I’m delighted to see it deliver these much-needed resources to the First State.”

“Our number-one focus as a country and as a state is to use the resources we have to propel us forward and see us out of this pandemic, which is exactly what this funding in the American Rescue Plan Act will do,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “The more we invest in research, trainings, and infrastructure, the better suited we will be to understand and prevent health disparities in the future. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact this will have on our state and am thankful for the Delaware’s health professionals who work tirelessly to lead us out of this pandemic.”

“The $107 million announced today from the American Rescue Plan, which I voted to pass in March of last year, highlights how the law continues to bring relief to Delaware,” said U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. “This funding will be instrumental in the creation and innovation of projects at our state’s colleges and universities, including University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical Community College, that will help our state continue to recover and rebuild from this pandemic. I commend Governor Carney for prioritizing funding these pandemic-related projects at our colleges and universities and am excited to see how they develop overtime.”

The University of Delaware will use $41 million in ARPA funding to help build a state-of-the-art facility for education and research in understanding, treatment, and prevention of diseases in Newark.  

It will train the next generation of Delaware public health professionals, including mental health professionals, and help meet demand in the state’s health care workforce. The facility is expected to be completed in mid-2024, at a projected total cost of approximately $165 million, with the balance of funds to be provided from university sources.

Graduates from the university’s clinical programs currently work at Christiana Care, Nemours, the Wilmington VA Medical Center, and the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families, among other health care settings.  

“We are deeply grateful to Gov. Carney’s administration and our Congressional delegation for securing this significant capital funding for the University of Delaware, which will greatly benefit our students and researchers and strengthen the state’s economy,” said UD President Dennis Assanis. “This interdisciplinary science building at the heart of the UD campus will catalyze cutting-edge research in the fields of human disease, developmental disorders, neuroscience and human behavior, and educate more than 1,000 students a year in those critical areas of healthcare need. In addition, by enhancing collaborative partnerships within the state and beyond, this new facility will be an invaluable asset for our entire community for generations to come.”

Delaware State University plans to use ARPA support to fund a series of projects, including: 

• $7 million to establish a comprehensive clinical facility to combat health disparities, housed at the DSU Center for Health Disparities’ Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory in Dover.  
• $10.6 million for the new DSU Early Care and Innovation Center, first announced in November.  
• $7.4 million for technology upgrades in classrooms. 
• $2.5 million to improve existing facilities to meet pandemic operational needs. 

“The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic for higher education go far beyond testing, vaccination, and quarantine,” said Dr. Tony Allen, President of Delaware State University. “We are rethinking nearly every element of instruction and facilities management, and we are incredibly thankful to have partners like Governor Carney who understand the critical nature of our mission and are willing to invest in helping us meet these challenges. Our students, faculty, and staff will be safer because of these ARPA investments, which will allow us to continue changing the life trajectories of those who attend America’s most diverse, contemporary HBCU.”

Delaware Technical Community College also will fund a series of projects with ARPA support, including: 

• $15 million for the Allied Health Center of Excellence, which will be located at the George Campus in Wilmington. Allied Health graduates from DTCC, including respiratory therapists and emergency medical technicians, work in Delaware hospitals, primary care, and other health care facilities. DTCC will expand access to its paramedic instructional program and surgical technology program at the site to meet growing workforce demand. 
• $6.5 million to build a Childcare Center on the Stanton campus to serve infants to school-age children. The center will expand child care education in New Castle County and provide area workers with additional child care options. 
• $1.5 million for a culinary workforce development grant.  

“Governor Carney has remained laser focused on strategically investing in capital projects that will benefit our students and Delaware’s employers statewide,” said Dr. Mark Brainard, president of Delaware Tech. “His support, along with our Congressional Delegation, has been critically important as we provide our students with the high-quality labs and classrooms they need to effectively fill high- quality jobs – especially during this healthcare crisis.”

Delaware State University and DTCC also will use the ARPA funding to make HVAC upgrades. 

Visit de.gov/rescueplan to learn more about how the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) is helping in Delaware. 

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