Advocacy & Economic Development
Smart Use of Funds Will Yield Long-term Benefits BY ROBERT W. PERKINS
AS THE STATE CONTINUES to cope with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative now more than ever for state leaders to enact economic policies that will make Delaware more attractive to existing and potential new employers. And importantly, with billions of federal funds coming to Delaware through the American Rescue Plan Act and the infrastructure bill, the state must intensify its efforts to become more efficient in permitting processes to attract and retain businesses. Without such an effort, we risk sending some of those federal funds back to Washington, since they come with strict timelines for allocation and expenditure. Delaware already has taken important steps in response to the economic fallout from the pandemic. Last year with Governor Carney’s leadership, the General Assembly approved a Site Readiness Fund to help create approved sites for businesses to build needed facilities and 60
create jobs. This fund will enable the Delaware Prosperity Partnership to market strategic locations to businesses interested in bringing jobs to Delaware. With the support of the Workforce Development Board and other partners, the State established Forward Delaware, a program designed to help jobseekers find skills training and employers connect with a qualified workforce. Governor Carney also has begun to identify important areas where federal funds can be put to wise use, such as investing in broadband capabilities, housing initiatives, early childhood education and child care providers, creating the Community Investment Recovery fund, and other projects. But this is just the beginning of a huge influx of federal funds coming to Delaware, and there is much more to be done. We must start with a top priority in our state’s fight to retain and attract jobs to Delaware—the proposed Ready in 6 initiative, which is Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2022 | DELAWARE BUSINESS
