Dover, Del.—Secretary of State Jeff Bullock announced on Friday that Jordan Schulties, Director of the Division of Small Business, and Tim Slavin, Director of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, will depart from their roles to embark on new journeys at the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) and Fort Dupont Redevelopment & Preservation Corporation, respectively. 

“I am grateful to both Jordan and Tim’s dedication and service to their divisions throughout these past few years,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “Jordan rose through the ranks from Deputy Director to Director of the Division and her steadfast commitment helped so many small businesses in the community receive all types of assistance from grants to resources, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

“Tim’s leadership and passion throughout these past 17 years have transformed the division into what it is today and strengthened how Delawareans connect with all aspects of history. He has served Delawareans well. I wish both Jordan and Tim all the best in their new roles,” said Bullock. 

“It has been a privilege to lead the Division of Small Business, and I am honored to have served in this important role,” said Director Schulties. “In my time with the division, our team has provided millions of dollars in assistance to businesses throughout Delaware, creating and sustaining thousands of jobs and helping to grow our economy. I am incredibly proud of the team we have and the hard work they do every day to support our state’s small businesses.” 

Regina Mitchell, Deputy Director of the Division of Small Business, will serve as Acting Director until a successor is named. 

 “I owe a debt of gratitude to my colleagues at Historical and Cultural Affairs for all that we have accomplished,” said Director Slavin. “Their work continues to improve our lives in Delaware; they are truly dedicated public servants.” 

Slavin will serve until June 30, 2022. A successor will be named to head the division before June 30^th.    

The Division of Small Business is a service-focused agency committed to supporting businesses starting and growing in Delaware. Small businesses can reach out to the Division for assistance in connecting to the resources and advice to succeed. To learn more about the Division of Small Business, click here. 

The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs serves the public by identifying, collecting, preserving, and interpreting inclusive Delaware history and engaging diverse cultures. HCA activities foster strong communities, engaged citizens, economic vitality, and a deeper understanding of Delaware’s role in world history. To learn more about the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, click here.   

DOVER, DE (March 1, 2022) – Young Delaware companies in need of funding to help expand their business can now apply to compete for an Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Grant from the Division of Small Business. The division will be accepting EDGE Grant applications until March 31 from promising early-stage businesses throughout Delaware.

Businesses who are less than five years old and employ no more than 10 employees are eligible to apply for an EDGE Grant. The grants are awarded through a competitive selection process. Five STEM-based companies can receive up to $100,000 for eligible expenses while five Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses can receive up to $50,000.

EDGE is a matching grant program. The Division of Small Business matches a winning business’s investment on a 3-to-1 basis. The business can spend EDGE grant funds on expenses that help improve the company’s long-term chances of success, such as a marketing campaign to help acquire more customers or purchasing a needed piece of equipment that can increase production capacity.

Applications for the competition round will be accepted from March 1 through March 31 at 5 p.m. Finalists will pitch their grant proposals to a panel of expert judges with winners announced in the summer.

“Delaware has an amazing community of entrepreneurs who stake their future on following their passion and starting their own business,” Secretary of State Jeff Bullock said. “By providing significant capital to these early-stage companies, the state of Delaware is able to help them reach their potential and show their owners that we value their efforts in starting and growing their businesses here in Delaware.”

“The EDGE Grant program has been very popular with Delaware small business owners because these grants have helped promising small companies in a variety of industries reach the next level and compete with larger companies,” Division of Small Business Director Jordan Schulties said. “I urge eligible small business owners interested in the program to reach out today to one of our Regional Business Managers for help with the application process.”

Since EDGE launched in 2019, $2.75 million has been awarded to 50 promising Delaware small businesses in industries ranging from renewable energy technology to fitness centers to restaurants. This will be the fifth round of the program since its launch.

One of the businesses who previously received funding is Elyte Energy, which uses patent-protected hydrogen technology to build a highly efficient power supply for generators and other fixed and portable devices. Elyte Energy was awarded a $100,000 STEM EDGE grant in the last round of funding. The company is using its grant to acquire laboratory space and equipment to develop a commercial prototype of its hydrogen-based system to power generators for the outdoor industry.  

“Startup companies like ours need funding if they are going to grow,” Dr. Jalaal A. Hayes, PhD, Elyte Energy’s founder and CEO said. “The $100,000 EDGE grant we received from the Delaware Division of Small Business will be crucial in helping us expand operations and build a commercial prototype to help meet our goal of making green energy available for the recreational vehicle (RV) market.”

Businesses should visit the Division of Small Business website for eligibility requirements, to download the grant application and to connect with a Regional Business Manager for application assistance.

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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WILMINGTON, Del. – Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in New Castle County affected by flooding from Hurricane Ida earlier this month are now eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Eligible businesses and nonprofits may qualify for loans up to $2 million.

The SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are designed to help with the temporary loss of revenue businesses and nonprofits are experiencing as a result of significant flooding from Hurricane Ida. The loans may be used for working capital expenses such as payroll, fixed debts and accounts payable, as well as other bills the business or nonprofit is currently unable to pay because of the impact of the storm.

“We continue to work alongside the City of Wilmington, agencies and organizations to provide resources for Wilmington residents and businesses with cleanup efforts from flooding from Hurricane Ida,” said Governor John Carney. “We appreciate the U.S. Small Business Administration making this economic injury loan program available for businesses.”   

“The flooding in New Castle County and Wilmington caused by Hurricane Ida was unprecedented, and as a result, many small businesses were forced to close their doors for days and weeks on end,” said Delaware Division of Small Business Director Jordan Schulties. “We know the economic effects of the hurricane can be just as challenging to a small business as property damage, and these loans can provide a lifeline to these business owners who are facing significant revenue loss.”

The SBA determines eligibility for the loans based on the size and type of business and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. The rates on the loans will not exceed three percent, and the term of the loans will not exceed 30 years. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 10, 2022.

Small businesses in New Castle County who suffered economic injury from Hurricane Ida are encouraged to review the SBA’s applications and program information on the SBA website. New Castle County received a disaster declaration from the SBA as a contiguous county of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. For this reason, small businesses in New Castle County who apply for an EIDL will need to do so under Pennsylvania’s declaration. For assistance applying for an EIDL, businesses should contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339) or via e-mail at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

The SBA has also opened a Business Recovery Center in Philadelphia to provide businesses with one-on-one assistance in submitting an economic injury loan application if they were impacted by Hurricane Ida. The recovery center is located at the Falls of the Schuylkill Library at 3501 Midvale Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19129. Hours for the center are noon to 8 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. The Business Recovery Center is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Customer Service Representatives will be available at the center to answer questions about the disaster loan program and assist business owners in completing their applications. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA has established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. All visitors to the recovery center are encouraged to wear a face mask.

DOVER, DE (September 1, 2021) – Young Delaware companies in need of funding to help expand their business can now apply to compete for an Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Grant from the Division of Small Business. The division will be accepting EDGE Grant applications until September 30 from promising early-stage businesses throughout Delaware.

Businesses who are less than five years old and employ no more than 10 employees are eligible to apply for an EDGE Grant. The grants are awarded through a competitive selection process. STEM-based companies can receive up to $100,000 for eligible expenses while Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses can receive up to $25,000.

EDGE is a matching grant program. The Division of Small Business matches a winning business’s investment on a 3-to-1 basis. The business can spend EDGE grant funds on expenses that help improve the company’s long-term chances of success, such as a marketing campaign to help acquire more customers or purchasing a needed piece of equipment that can increase production capacity.

Applications for the competition round will be accepted from September 1 through September 30 at 5 p.m. Finalists will pitch their grant proposals to a panel of expert judges with winners announced in early 2022.

“The EDGE Grants competition provides a unique opportunity for Delaware’s early-stage small businesses to expand and innovate by providing them access to significant capital funding,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “With this funding, these smaller companies can compete with more established, larger businesses and move forward from the pandemic in a big way.”

“Delaware has a vibrant small business community that is consistently finding creative ways to remain competitive and grow their businesses, particularly as the state’s economy recovers from the pandemic,” said Division of Small Business Director Jordan Schulties. “EDGE funds can help many of those businesses continue to expand well into the future. I encourage business owners to reach out to our office to get started on the application process today.”

Since EDGE launched in 2019, more than $2 million has been awarded to 35 promising Delaware small businesses in industries ranging from wearable technology to agribusiness to craft brewing.

One of those businesses is Resonate Forward, a Newark-based company creating technology to benefit patients that suffer from Parkinson’s disease. Resonate Forward was awarded a $100,000 STEM EDGE Grant in the last round of funding. The company is using their grant to develop a manufacturable prototype and design for their RMband device that mitigates tremors in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

“Without the funding from EDGE, this important technology may not have reached the patients who can benefit most from it,” said Theresa Litherland, president of Resonate Forward. “We are grateful that Delaware recognizes small, growing companies like ours and offers programs like the EDGE Grant competition to help them reach their full potential.”

Businesses should visit www.delbiz.com/edge for eligibility requirements, to download the grant application and to connect with a Regional Business Manager for assistance.