​by James DeChene

Reported this week in the News Journal, 42% of Delaware students entering their freshman year of college at a Delaware school are required to take remedial classes, for which they receive no credit, and more importantly, on material they should have learned in high school.

Delaware, it is noted, is 14th in the nation for education spending per student, yet 40th in terms of student achievement.  The billion-plus dollars we spend on public education represents over a quarter of the annual budget, and is matched only by the state spend on public health.

Delawareans, and especially the business community, should be appalled at these numbers.  These students represent the future of Delaware’s workforce, who will be stewards of the economy, and quite simply they are not, as a whole, receiving the education they need to be successful.  Even more alarming is the flip side of the coin not mentioned in the article—if this many college bound students are forced to take remedial classes to bring their knowledge base up to basic competency, what is happening to the students who aren’t going to college?  What skills gap do they face, and how do they position themselves to achieve a measure of success?
Anecdotally, we hear that employers are spending more and more time and resources to educate new hires on basic math and English skills in an effort to make them productive.  This trend seems to be growing, and represents a glaring fundamental issue with Delaware’s education system.  More and more students are graduating without the basic skills to be successful, and the incremental gains we see are nowhere near where they need to be, and certainly not worth the amount of money we spend.
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Ultimately there needs to be a change in how education is provided in Delaware.  Frustration is growing surrounding every facet of public education—the curriculum, the amount of testing, the amount of money spent, and on outcomes.  For Delaware students to have the chance to compete and be successful in life, the primary foundation, education, needs reform.

​By now most of you have seen or heard the good news: DuPont plans to locate the headquarters for its Agriculture company in Delaware.

Leaders of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and The Delaware Business Roundtable worked with the Governor’s office and Delaware’s congressional delegation in this successful effort to have the corporate headquarters of the DuPont, Dow independent Agriculture company locate in Delaware.

Click here for the press release from DuPont Dow released today, below is the joint media statement from the DSCC and DBRT that was distributed earlier this week.

Joint Statement from Mark Turner, Chairman of Delaware Business Roundtable (President and CEO, WSFS Bank) and Chip Rossi, Chairman of Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Delaware Market President, Bank of America)


“Today’s announcement that DuPont will be establishing the headquarters for its Agriculture company in Wilmington is great news for Delaware. We are very excited that both the new Agriculture and Specialty Products companies will be headquartered in Wilmington, following the planned separation of DowDuPont into three separate companies.


This announcement reinforces Delaware’s long-standing reputation as a business friendly state, particularly since a number of states were competing to have these businesses located within their borders. We believe some of the factors contributing to this decision were the state’s attractive business climate, the skilled and highly educated workforce and the close and constructive working relationship between government, business, and higher education in our state.


In terms of future job growth, DuPont’s recent announcement that the company is creating a process to evaluate requests by former employees to gain access to DuPont patent property is another sign of how maintaining DuPont in Delaware will foster the establishment of new entrepreneurial businesses and help create additional economic growth.


We appreciate DuPont’s ongoing commitment to the state and the fact that the company and its thousands of employees will continue to be active in our community, including with civic and charitable organizations. This announcement is good news for Delaware, for all Delawareans and anyone connected with our state.
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In particular, we applaud the fact that Governor Markell and his administration and our congressional delegation demonstrated exemplary leadership and collaboration in working together with DuPont and the business community to ensure that the company and its employees will remain a vital part of our economy and our communities.”

​by Mark DiMaio

The Chamber’s Committees are in full swing, with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting to discuss the Coastal Zone Act (CZA) and recommendations from the Clean Water Task Force and the proposed DNREC regulations regarding storm water management. The committee continues to discuss the modernization of the CZA and how to best stimulate economic growth in the zone.  The Delaware Clean Water Task Force is looking at a new draft bill related to water fees that focuses on a fixed fee per each Delaware business versus a fee for every business tax parcel. Concerns remain with the recently proposed DNREC storm water regulations. The committee will work with member companies to find a workable solution to the proposed regulations.
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The Chamber’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) held its kick-off meeting last week. The Committee discussion focused on Delaware’s current development climate and ways in which the committee could engage on issues.  Much of the committee dialogue centered on the importance of keeping pace with the rapid economic changes both locally and nationally. The EDC will concentrate its efforts on both short and long-term topics and issues that will best advance Delaware’s existing business climate and foster an innovative environment for future development.  In coordination with other State Chamber Committees, The Delaware Manufacturing Association and the Delaware Public Policy Institute, the EDC will work with stakeholders to advance policies to strengthen Delaware’s economy.

​by James DeChene

Over the last 7 years, Governor Markell has made education a primary policy focus.  Changes in student curriculum, creating new standardized testing standards, adoption of long-term performance goals, and significant investment in early childhood education have all been part of an over all strategy to help Delaware students raise their achievement levels.  The State Chamber of Commerce has supported many of these initiatives because we believe today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce.

This year, Governor Markell has allocated $11.3 million for early childhood development targeted at pre-kindergarten aged children.  Recent research has focused on early education as an investment.  The National Conference of State Legislatures has prepared a summary of the latest economic research examining early education initiatives as public investments.  Many policymakers have considered early education initiatives as a school readiness strategy or as a way to close the achievement gap.  Now, economic experts are offering another reason: mounting evidence shows that investments in early education may be considered as an economic development strategy.

According to NCSL, their summary brief “highlights three reports: the first from Art Rolnick, Senior Vice President and Director of Research at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank; the second from James Heckman, Nobel Prize winner in economics from the University of Chicago; and the latest report from the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation on the longitudinal study of the Perry Preschool Program.  These reports characterize the economics of investing in early education by examining state economic subsidies, skill development for individuals in the broader economic picture, and specific new findings from a path-breaking early education program.”
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For more information on how important early education investment is to the business community, click here to read more.

​Over the last 24 years, schools across the state have displayed their Superstars in Education banner. There are many who have applied for this award, but there can only be a few winners. Programs range from single classroom programs to collaborative partnerships. This award is not just designed to point out what is working, it is dedicated to those programs that are special. The debate about educational programs includes terms such as ‘Race to the Top’, STEM, Common Core, standardized testing, college and employment ready, and the list goes on. In the end, the bottom line is that success comes from the teacher in the classroom and the leaders in our schools. That is to whom the Superstars in Education award is dedicated.

Superstars in Education highlights excellence in science teaching, integrated classroom technology practices, and school-to-career partnerships. This event recognizes outstanding educational programs and individual achievements. It also serves the business community and its investment in the future. Delaware’s future depends on the foundation we build in our schools today. It is imperative that today’s students have tangible skills when they are ready to enter the workforce. Whether college bound, preparing for a trade job or working in the manufacturing world, students need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to be productive employees and citizens. Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce.

The 2016 Superstars in Education program will honor this year’s winning programs with a reception followed by an awards ceremony on May 9, 2016 at 4:45 p.m. at Wilmington University’s Doberstein Admissions Center Auditorium in New Castle, Delaware. We are counting on your generous sponsorship support to guarantee the success of this program. Sponsors are recognized at the ceremony and throughout the event’s promotion and publicity. We ask you to pledge sponsorship by March 9, 2016 to maximize visibility for your support. Click here to view sponsor opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact Mark DiMaio at (302) 576-6571 ([email protected]).
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Please join us in celebrating excellence in education and our commitment to forging strong business partnerships with schools in Delaware.

​by James DeChene

For more than 40 years, the Coastal Zone Act has set Delaware apart for companies looking to conduct business on Delaware’s coast. Whether it was meant to eventually force manufacturing and industry to “wither on the vine” or to balance the types of allowable companies with keeping our natural resources pristine, it has created a logjam in the process. Regardless of the intent of the legislation, it is clear that Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act must be modernized in order for Delaware to grow.

There are a number of large economic development projects underway in and around Delaware, including the redevelopment of Sunoco’s Marcus Hook site, of which 40-plus acres are located in Delaware. To date, Sunoco has not indicated any plans for development on that ground, most notably due to conforming to the Coastal Zone Act. The redevelopment of the former Claymont Steel plant is another potentially huge economic development project to bring jobs to Delaware, and hurdles continue to mount for next stage planning.

The world economy has changed significantly since 1971, and the manufacturing world has changed with it. It is readily apparent that manufacturing is not as it once was, and for modern manufacturing plants, whether making cars, medical equipment or other products, the focus is on clean and efficient production. Companies looking for manufacturing and production sites expect the process to be clear, timely, and reasonable, and unfortunately right now that is not a process Delaware can provide.

There is a balance to be reached between protecting the thousands of acres of land within the Coastal Zone that have not seen, and should not see, commercial development and allowing those sites sitting abandoned, underutilized or other properties that have a history of commercial use prior to the Coastal Zone Act enactment in 1971 to be actively, and easily, used. Plans do not, and would not, include refineries or smelting plants as acceptable in the Zone, but instead focus on bringing high tech, efficient manufacturing and other related businesses to Delaware.

Delaware is currently at a crossroads in its history. The fourlegged stool that has been the primary backbone of our economy in recent years—cars, chemicals, chickens and credit cards—has changed dramatically. As our jobs shift away from the chemical industry, Delaware must make itself as attractive as possible in order to bring new business to the state, and modernizing the Coastal Zone Act is a lynchpin to that success. To that end, the State Chamber will begin, and lead, the discussions and debate surrounding how to modernize the Coastal Zone Act. The continued future of economic development in Delaware will be predicated upon the outcome of what will be undoubtedly be a heated debate.
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Our message is, and will remain clear: Delaware cannot afford to have its economic policy dictated by extreme or unreasonable elements of the environmental activist community if there is to be the future successful economic growth this state needs to survive.

​by Mark DiMaio
Director, The Partnership, Inc.

The 2016 Superstars in Education program will honor this year’s winning programs with a reception followed by an awards ceremony on May 2, 2016 at 4:45 p.m. at the Wilmington University’s Doberstein Admissions Center Auditorium in New Castle. Plan to join us to celebrate the 2016 award winning programs. In 2015, we recognized six fantastic programs from across Delaware. Click here to watch the 2015 video.

The Superstars in Education program is charged with recognizing outstanding educational programs and individual achievements. This event highlights excellence in science teaching, integrated classroom technology practices, and school-to-career partnerships. Additionally, a special award will be presented recognizing business/community leadership in supporting education.

The program also serves the business community and its investment in the future. Delaware’s future depends on the foundation we build in our schools today. It is imperative that today’s students have tangible skills when they are ready to enter the workforce. Whether college bound, preparing for a trade job or working in the manufacturing world, students need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to be productive employees and citizens. Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce.

The Partnership, Inc. was created to promote charitable and educational activities by developing and fostering programs that encourage private sector involvement in workforce development and education. Sponsors are recognized at the ceremony and throughout the event’s promotion and publicity. We ask you to pledge sponsorship by March 11, 2016 to maximize visibility for your support. Click here to download the sponsorship form. If you have any questions, please contact Mark DiMaio at (302) 576-6575 ([email protected]).
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Please join us in celebrating excellence in education and our commitment to forging strong business partnerships with schools in Delaware.

​by James DeChene

In legislation passed last year by the General Assembly, companies conducting business in Delaware via a website will be required to post a privacy policy alerting their customers to the types of data their website may collect, and what the company may do with that data, such as using it for marketing, or storing it for later use (think a credit card number saved on a pizza shop website).

During the legislative process, the Chamber worked closely with the Attorney General and members of the General Assembly to pass legislation that would seek to provide the consumer protection the AG wanted, but not cause businesses significant hardship, financial or otherwise, to implement. Currently, comment period for the regulation drafting process has been closed, as of February 1st. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit has been working with the State Chamber to not only come up with a regulation that is easy to read, but CPU has also pledged to provide free of charge examples of privacy policy statements on their website so that businesses can copy and paste language that will cover them directly onto their website.
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As those examples are released, the Chamber will provide our membership, through this space, a reminder alert as well as a link to the text.

​I am honored to have this opportunity to work with all of you, the leaders of Delaware’s business community, as we continue to move our organization forward over the next few years. Mark Stellini did a lot for Delaware during his time as chairman of this organization and together, we can keep that momentum going in the months to come.

Our role at the Chamber is to support businesses of all sizes by advocating on legislative issues like the state budget or the Coastal Zone Act, promoting local leaders through programs like Superstars in Business and Superstars in Education, and helping build important relationships through activities like the Delaware Networking Station. We work together with key leaders throughout the state to drive towards a better, brighter future … a future that offers good jobs, good schools, strong and safe communities, and a diversity of people and ability who together build one Delaware.

This is an important time for our state. Delaware is facing economic, social and political changes and challenges over the next few years that could affect the quality of life for future generations. As we progress through this election year, we must keep in mind that it takes strong leadership to manage through change. I am counting on us to have the courage to tackle the challenges head on.

I know you believe in what we do. I do too.

Together we can create a better Delaware.

Sincerely,
Chip Rossi

​by Mark DiMaio

The Delaware Manufacturing Association (DMA) kicked off 2016 by hosting Delaware Governor Jack Markell for a manufacturing policy discussion.  The Governor was introduced by State Chamber President Richard Heffron and DMA Chairman, Brian Nixon of Invista.

The Governor was quick to recognize the workforce development efforts of DMA and its members.  The Governor highlighted the fact that in just over two years, the Pathways to Prosperity Initiative, has grown from just one program with a couple of dozen students to an initiative that will reach 5,000 students in 29 Delaware high schools.

DMA Vice Chair Liza Bartle with Agilent Technologies was highlighted in Governor Markell’s State of State press release “as representative of private sector employers who have joined the Pathways to Prosperity Initiative, which places students with employers to learn valuable job skills that today’s employers need, from manufacturing to computer networking, health care, and culinary arts. Business partners are committing to increase the number of students who gain the opportunity to work directly with employers.”
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In addition to Agilent Technologies, DMA members PPG, AstraZeneca, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Kuehne Chemical Co., Bloom Energy, DuPont, FMC BioPolymer and Delaware City Refinery all offered craftsmanships to students. We continue to look for organizations willing to participate in the program in 2016.

Governor Markell also highlighted the legislature’s quick passage and his signing of the Delaware Competes Act (HB 235), a law changing the way corporate income tax is calculated to ensure companies don’t pay more for decisions to hire and expand in the state.  The bipartisan bill received near unanimous approval from the Delaware General Assembly and will serve as another tool to help Delaware attract news business to the state.

Please mark your calendars for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Spring Legislative Brunch and Manufacturing Conference to be held on Tuesday, March 22nd at DelTech’s Terry Campus in Dover. Click here for more information.