Improving Delaware's Economic Health

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.