by Mark DiMaio

Last year we asked Chamber members to participate in a survey for input about obstacles to their business growth. We received nearly 100 individual responses to our question about specific suggestions on what Delaware should do to improve its economy.  Listed below are four areas that respondents mentioned most often, along with ways the Chamber is working to advance Delaware’s economic health.  

Improve schools and infrastructure

• The Chamber is a member of the Education Equity Delaware Coalition whose goal is to increase public awareness of education funding equity issues and solutions, and to focus on long-term systemic change on behalf of Delaware’s students, particularly those with the greatest needs. Rod Ward, president and chief executive officer of Corporation Service Company (CSC), is the Chamber’s coalition representative. 
• The Chamber supports the efforts of the task force created by HCR 39. This task force will make recommendations regarding the impact of consolidating school districts in the state. Visit www.dscc.com/takeaction and search HCR 39 in the Find Legislation field to learn more. Jordon Rosen of Belfint, Lyons and Shuman serves as the Chamber representative on a subcommittee looking at the financial impact of school district consolidation. 
• We are actively engaged, along with many of our members, with the Pathways to Prosperity program. Delaware Pathways programs are a set of curriculum focused on a specific industry-based “pathway,” paired with opportunities to gain workplace experience while still in high school, graduate with a head start on a college degree, or gain qualifications needed to go to work immediately. Consider attending the 2018 Delaware Pathways Conference on March 21.

Balance the state budget with new revenue sources and cut government spending

• We will continue to advocate for structural changes to Delaware’s budget. Delaware needs fiscal policies that foster business growth and advance the state’s long-term economic future.
• We support HB 160 that aims to establish metrics for grant-in-aid funding to nonprofits. Visit www.dscc.com/takeaction and search HB 160 in the Find Legislation field to learn more.

            
Encourage entrepreneurship and a diverse economy - strong business climate to attract new business

• The Chamber supported passage of HB 226 to create the new Delaware Prosperity Partnership, a public-private partnership to aid in the stimulation of Delaware's economic growth.
• We support HB 170: Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act for Small Technology Companies. This legislation creates an incentive for qualified angel investors to invest capital in qualified Delaware small technology companies. Visit www.dscc.com/takeaction and search HB 170 in the Find Legislation field to learn more.
• Please join us on Thursday, March 22, for an important panel conversation about economic development in Delaware: “Building Delaware’s New Frontier."  

Streamline land use and permitting process – less regulation overall

• The Chamber is providing feedback to the GEAR taskforce, established by Governor Carney to review Delaware regulations and areas that could and should see reductions and streamlining.
• The Chamber will also continue to contribute, where appropriate, ideas of areas where permitting could be lessened or streamlined in agencies such as DELDOT and DNREC.
• The State Chamber is working with DNREC to update Delaware’s Coastal Zone regulations, following the passage of HB 190 (Coastal Zone Modernization Act). We believe this will make Delaware more competitive and attractive for redevelopment, bringing with it more jobs and a boost to the local economy.

By Mark DiMaio

In 2017, we invited Chamber members to participate in a survey in part to gauge their view of obstacles to their business growth. Listed below are the top five, along with ways the Chamber is addressing them.

1. Cost of Employee Health Care
The Chamber recognizes the growing problem surrounding health care costs. 

• We will continue to follow plans to create a health care benchmark, and what that means for providers, insurance companies and patients.
• Next month, Dr. Janice Nevin, MD., MPH, President and CEO of Christiana Care Health System, will provide an important update the DSCC Board of Governors on the future of health care.
• Join us and the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health on May 21, for the Delaware Employer Summit - details to follow.

 
2. Lack of Qualified Applicants
We are actively engaged, along with many of our members, with the Pathways to Prosperity program. Delaware Pathways programs are a set of curriculum focused on a specific industry-based “pathway,” paired with opportunities to gain workplace experience while still in high school, graduate with a head start on a college degree, or gain qualifications needed to go to work immediately. The program is a unique collaboration of school districts, businesses, higher education, and national advisory partners that represent a new way to do school. The Delaware Manufacturing Association (a Chamber affiliate) members have actively participated in the Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Manufacturing Production & Logistics pathways.  

Delaware Pathways will host its 4th Annual Conference on March 21.
 
3. Concerns with Crime & Safety 
The Chamber supports the efforts of elected officials and their staffs to reduce crime in Wilmington and across the state. 

• The Chamber strongly supports the efforts of Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki and Wilmington Police Chief Robert Tracy to combat crime in the city.  
• The Chamber and its Health Care committee, in partnership with the Chamber's Employer Advocacy and Education Committee will host an event focused on what employers need to know about the legal and human resource challenges of opioid abuse in the workplace. This national epidemic impacts a wide swath of the population with no bias against race or economic standing and it’s important for businesses to realize the potential impact to employees and their families. Drug addiction plays a major role in crime within our communities.    

4. Concerns About Local Schools
Improving education outcomes is a key factor in developing a skilled workforce and attracting new business to Delaware.  

• The Chamber supports the efforts of the task force created by HCR 39. This task force will make recommendations regarding the impact of consolidating school districts in the state.  The Chamber has a representative (Jordon Rosen of Belfint, Lyons and Shuman) on the subcommittee looking at the financial impact of school district consolidation
• The Chamber is a member of The Education Equity Delaware coalition whose goals are to increase public awareness of education funding equity issues and solutions, and to focus on long-term systemic change on behalf of Delaware’s students, particularly those with the greatest needs. Rod Ward, president and chief executive officer of Corporation Service Company (CSC), is the Chamber’s coalition representative.    
• The Chamber supports Governor Carney and the Delaware Department of Education efforts to develop a Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the Delaware Department of Education and the Christina School District, thus creating partnerships that will advance the academic growth and success of students in Priority Schools. 
• We are actively engaged, along with many of our members, with the Pathways to Prosperity program.

 
5. Cost of Permitting and Regulation Compliance 

• The State Chamber is working with DNREC to update Delaware’s Coastal Zone regulations, following the passage of HB 190 (Coastal Zone Modernization Act). We believe this will make Delaware more competitive and attractive for redevelopment, bringing with it more jobs and a boost to the local economy.
• The Chamber is providing feedback to the GEAR taskforce, established by Governor Carney to review Delaware regulations and areas that could and should see reductions and streamlining.
• The Chamber will also continue to contribute, where appropriate, ideas of areas where permitting could be lessened or streamlined in agencies such as DELDOT and DNREC.

by Mark DiMaio

In 2017, we invited Chamber members to participate in a survey to gauge their view of Delaware's economic health, and provide input on policy priorities. Listed below are the top four, along with ways the Chamber is addressing them.
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1. Economic Development
The Chamber is dedicated to promoting an economic climate that strengthens the competitiveness of Delaware businesses and benefits citizens of the state.

• The State Chamber is working with DNREC to update Delaware’s Coastal Zone regulations, following the passage of HB 190 (Coastal Zone Modernization Act). We believe this will make Delaware more competitive and attractive for redevelopment, bringing with it more jobs and a boost to the local economy.
• The Chamber supported passage of HB 226 to create the new Delaware Prosperity Partnership, a public-private partnership to aid in the stimulation of Delaware's economic growth.
• Please join us for an important panel conversation about economic development in Delaware: “Building Delaware’s New Frontier."
• We support HB 170 “Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act for Small Technology Companies” – This legislation creates an incentive for qualified angel investors to invest capital in qualified Delaware small technology companies.

2. Cost of Health Care
The Chamber recognizes the growing problem surrounding health care costs.

• We will continue to follow plans to create a health care benchmark, and what that means for providers, insurance companies and patients.
• Next month, Dr. Janice Nevin, MD., MPH, President and CEO of Christiana Care Health System, will provide an important update the DSCC Board of Governors on the future of health care.
• Join us and the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health on May 21, for the Delaware Employer Summit - details to follow.

3. Government Spending
We will continue to advocate for structural changes to Delaware’s budget. Delaware needs fiscal policies that foster business growth and advance the state’s long-term economic future.

• We support HB 160 that aims to establish metrics for grant-in-aid funding to nonprofits. 
• The Chamber will support efforts to create and maintain sustainable revenue within the State's budget.  

4. Education Reform (K-12)
Improving education outcomes is a key factor in developing a skilled workforce and attracting new business to Delaware.  

• The Chamber supports the efforts of the task force created by HCR 39. This task force will make recommendations regarding the impact of consolidating school districts in the state.
• ​The Chamber supports Governor Carney and the Delaware Department of Education efforts to develop a Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the Delaware Department of Education and the Christina School District, thus creating partnerships that will advance the academic growth and success of students in Priority Schools. 
• We are actively engaged, along with many of our members, with the Pathways to Prosperity program.

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce held its annual Legislative Brunch & Manufacturing Conference on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. We thank the event’s presenting sponsor, Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and host sponsor, Delaware Technical Community College. The event, held at DTCC’s Terry Campus in Dover, welcomed 250 guests and began with exhibitors and networking in the morning, followed by a manufacturing-focused panel discussion.

The manufacturing session’s panel focused on “Building the Manufacturing Pipeline” by way of Delaware’s Pathways to Prosperity program. Panelist Heath Chasanov, Superintendent of Woodbridge School District, shared the success the program has had in his district. His sentiments were supported by a Manufacturing Pathway student from Woodbridge High School, who communicated her experience in the program, obtaining various accreditations, building a strong foundation for her career, and her passion for using her manufacturing skills in the agricultural industry.

Kuehne Chemical Company Plant Manager, Alan Rogers, gave employer insight to the importance of the Pathways Program and how it’s not just the technical skills, but also the soft skills, that the students are bringing to the workplace that is impressive. Mary Ann Pacelli, Manager of Workforce Development, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, NIST offered a national perspective, sharing that while Delaware is not alone in its challenges in growing and sustaining the workforce pipeline, it certainly has a model that is effective and worthy of replication. The panel was moderated by Paul Morris, Assistant Vice President, Workforce Development at Delaware Technical Community College. A question and answer session followed with great discussion about growing the program, and encouraging diversity within enrollment.

Governor Carney gave the keynote address, during which he spoke to some areas of key concern, including the State’s budget shortfall; the effects of Delaware’s population, which is both increasing and seeing a significant rise in the retirement-age demographic; and, to further support the morning’s panel, the need for skilled workers in a growing manufacturing industry. The Governor touted Delaware’s size as its greatest asset in overcoming the trials ahead, namely in being able to work together, be it across party lines to push business-friendly legislation, or across the street to partner with a nearby organization, school or business.

Also announced at the event was the Frank Masley Memorial Scholarship Program, to support students pursuing careers in engineering, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. The scholarship honors the late Frank Masley of Masley Enterprises, and his perseverance, commitment to excellence, and many achievements. Donations to the endowment fund can be made by check made payable to the DTCC Educational Foundation (‘Frank Masley Memorial Scholarship’ in the memo line), P.O. Box 897, Dover, DE 19903; or online at www.dtcc.edu/makeagift (‘Frank Masley Memorial Scholarship’ in Special Donor Instructions box).
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The Chamber would like to thank the following organizations for their support: Presenting Sponsor DEMEP; Gold Sponsors Bank of America and Delmarva Power; Silver Sponsors Agilent Technologies, Chemours, Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), and Kuehne Company; Bronze Sponsors Advanced Power Products & Solutions, Inc., Associates International, AstraZeneca, Delaware City Refining Company, Delaware Electric Coop, Dow, Edgewell Personal Care, Item Mid-Atlantic, LegalShield, Mountaire, NIIMBLE, PPG, and W. L. Gore; and Media Sponsor Delaware Business Times.

by Mark DiMaio

On Monday November 28th, Delaware Technical Community College, Delmarva Power and Exelon hosted a “Partnerships for Pathways” event at DelTech’s Sustainable Energy Training Center (Stanton Campus). The event featured guest speakers Governor Jack Markell, Governor-elect John Carney and Exelon’s David Velazquez. Gary Stockbridge, President, Delmarva Power moderated a panel discussion highlighting the Pathways to Prosperity program’s newest education tract – the energy efficiency pathway. The new pathway provides Delaware high school students the opportunity to learn competencies and skills to succeed in the expanding energy efficiency industry. Students enrolled in the energy efficiency pathway will learn terminology and concepts in the classroom. A key component of the training is applying learned concepts and this spring, students will gain hands on experience at Delaware Technical Community College’s energy laboratories. Delmarva Power provided a $720,000 donation to partially fund the new energy efficiency pathway.

The new pathway will help fill the local demand for jobs in energy efficiency industry. During the panel discussion, David Small, Secretary of Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control, stated that 250 sector jobs could be created the next few years. The Delaware Pathways to Prosperity program now offers 12 career training programs, including culinary arts, manufacturing, finance and computer networking and programming, with over 5,000 students participating in the programs. The Pathways to Prosperity program kicked off just two years ago with major support from the Delaware Manufacturing Association and Delaware State Chamber of Commerce members.

by James DeChene

This week Governor Markell addressed the members of the State Chamber’s Economic Development Committee to outline the recent successes focused on economic development, and to discuss how Delaware’s economy is faring as the recovery from the Great Recession continues.

Highlighting the importance of workforce readiness and development, the Governor featured the Pathways to Prosperity program currently providing industry developed curriculum to approximately 6,000 Delaware students statewide. This accomplishment comes on the heels of the first cohort of students who graduated this past May with a focus on advanced manufacturing. Their curriculum and required internship hours were provided predominantly by members of the State Chamber and the Delaware Manufacturing Association.
The Governor also highlighted successes in retaining the majority of DuPont’s presence in Delaware, while also helping local startups like The Mill, CoIN Loft and 1313 Innovation to bring and foster new and specialized jobs to Delaware.

Lastly the Governor focused on job growth in Delaware. Pointing to Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showing Delaware leading the region in jobs and outperforming the national unemployment level. Governor Markell wanted to be sure that committee members saw these positive trends.

Committee Chairman Michael Vanderslice pointed to Administration proposed efforts that the State Chamber and business community had supported, but ultimately weren’t successful. These included having state employees contribute more to their health care plans, increasing the gas tax to fund much needed state infrastructure improvements, and addressing Delaware’s poor water quality. Governor Markell remained optimistic that these efforts would be addressed in future legislation as those issues not only aren’t going away, but must be resolved if Delaware is to be able to continue to meet its budget needs.

​by James DeChene

The week started off with the Delaware State Chamber and Delaware Manufacturing Association hosting the annual Legislative Brunch and Manufacturing Conference. Attended by over 200, along with two dozen state officials, the event highlighted recent manufacturing growth in Delaware. Remarks by Governor Markell touting this growth, along with the success the Pathways to Prosperity advanced manufacturing curriculum has had this year, capped off the brunch.

At Legislative Hall this week, a bill to raise the state’s minimum wage was put into limbo in the House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance/Commerce committee. The bill will not likely see any further action this year, barring any last minute horse trading on June 30. Should the bill not see any further action, it would have to be reintroduced next year in the 149th General Assembly. The Delaware State Chamber will continue to monitor and provide updates as needed.

A bill relating to parking lots, handicapped spaces and restriping was not released from the House Public Safety Committee. The bill, introduced and released from that Committee last June, was substitute language for the original bill. With input from the Counties and several Chambers, the bill was modified, but still not acceptable to the broader business community. It is unclear as of now whether the bill will be modified further, be “walked around” to release it from committee, or if it will remain in Committee seeing no further action this session, much like the Minimum Wage bill.
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The General Assembly is out for two weeks for Easter break, and returns on April 12. More updates from Dover upon their return.

​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.

​ Governor Markell today announced $600,000 in grants for new high school pathway programs to expand a statewide effort that prepares students to excel in key fields that offer good job opportunities in the new economy.
Beginning next fall, the Governor’s Pathways to Prosperity initiative will serve more than 5,000 students in at least 55 pathway programs at 29 high schools. That more than doubles the size of the initiative from this fall, when it launched with 25 pathways in 15 high schools across the state, impacting more than 2400 students. For this second round of grants, the state has added pathways in computer networking, finance, and health care. Those are in addition to pathways in biomedical sciences, engineering, hospitality/culinary arts, IT/computer science, and manufacturing.
The Governor previously announced $500,000 in grants for pathways that started this fall. Moving forward, the state plans to provide districts the chance each September to apply for funds to start new pathways in emerging industry sectors.
“I applaud the district administrators, teachers, higher education leaders, and employers who have made it a top priority to provide these opportunities to our students,” said Markell. “They have allowed this initiative to expand at an incredible rate, recognizing that these opportunities are vital to give all of our young people the best chance to reach their potential. Working together, we will ensure every student can not only participate but thrive in the job market into which they will graduate.”
Grant funds are used by school districts to implement career and technical education programs of study as part of a larger state effort to connect our public education system, post-secondary institutions, and our employer community. Students take hundreds of hours of specialized instruction and hands-on training, receiving the opportunity to graduate with work experience and college credit for courses that are most relevant to those industries. That means they can have a head start on getting a job and earning a degree.
Each program was developed in partnership with Delaware employers and institutions of higher education. The Department of Education is providing curriculum support for each pathway as well as training for teachers to successfully implement the coursework. In addition, the Department is working on agreements with Delaware colleges and universities to ensure that students who complete a program will be eligible for college credit at one or more institutions of higher education in the state.
The just-announced $600,000 includes some funds to help expand programs already underway this fall.
“This program epitomizes the collaboration among teachers, administrators, and the larger education community that is necessary to best support our students,” said Secretary of Education Steven Godowsky. “The Department of Education continues to be committed to partnering with our school leaders and offering our school systems the support they need to effectively implement the rigorous career and technical programs that are a key part of ensuring all students find success after high school.”
Districts use funding in a variety of ways to support students and staff, and to provide the services and materials required to offer courses and hands-on training opportunities.
“Today’s jobs simply do not look like those of decades past, which are increasingly outsourced to other countries or handled by machines,” said Markell. “However, incredible opportunities exist for those who can use that technology and for those whose abilities fit with the changing needs of growing industries. It’s our responsibility to ensure there are pathways to learning the skills for those jobs.”

By James DeChene

The News Journal recently highlighted the expansion of Delaware’s Pathways to Prosperity program, featuring the advanced manufacturing component currently entering its second year in New Castle County, and entering its pilot year in Sussex County. The program was spearheaded through a partnership between the Delaware Manufacturing Association, Del Tech, the Markell Administration and the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership as a way to provide advanced manufacturing skills in high school to help prepare students for either a career directly out of high school, or as a spring board to an advanced degree in fields such as mechanical or electrical engineering. The first year saw over 30 enrolled in the program, featuring both classroom and hands on training, with a paid summer “craftsmanship” (think internship, but more hands on) following. Graduates of the two year program will receive a nationally recognized certificate giving them a head start on the hiring process.