Investing in Delaware's Future

BY GOVERNOR JOHN CARNEY

THE PAST TWO YEARS have been tough for all Delawareans. For parents worried about keeping their children on track during a pandemic. For small business owners and their workers worried about putting food on the table for their families. But thanks to the efforts of countless Delawareans, we are moving past the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of today, more than eight in every 10 Delaware adults has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Children are back in their classrooms full-time, and thousands of Delawareans are back on the job.

Now, it’s the time to look forward. As we emerge from this pandemic, I firmly believe that Delaware can lead and be more economically competitive than ever. Unlike many states, Delaware was prepared for the COVID-19 crisis. In the years leading up to 2020, we worked with the General Assembly to more closely link economic growth with state spending. We directed surplus revenues into one-time capital projects and built a new $250 million reserve account—above requirements in Delaware law.

As we emerge from this pandemic, I firmly believe that Delaware can lead and be more economically competitive than ever.

Those responsible budgeting practices are what Delaware taxpayers expect. They also prevented the need for painful budget cuts or tax increases during the pandemic, as we’ve seen in other states. And they helped us pass the largest infrastructure plan in Delaware history, which will help create jobs statewide and drive our economy forward over the coming years.

With the help of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and investments approved by the Delaware General Assembly, Delaware will invest an additional $1.2 billion in transportation infrastructure. We’ll build charging stations to support a transition to electric vehicles, connect all Delawareans with high-speed broadband, and modernize our water infrastructure.

That’s how we make sure all Delaware families have a chance to succeed.

We’re also making important investments at the state level that will help attract new jobs to Delaware. We’re investing $10 million in site readiness to prepare sites for commercial and industrial development. We’ve created a new Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund to help make improvements that will support job-creating projects.

We’re working in collaboration with the private sector through the Delaware Prosperity Partnership to promote our state to employers large and small. Together, we have attracted or supported the expansion of a number of companies statewide, including U.S. Corrugated in Dover, STA Pharmaceutical in Middletown, Amazon in Newport, and Miller Metal in Bridgeville.

And, importantly, we are investing in Delaware’s workforce.

In the fall, at Delaware Technical Community College, we announced an unprecedented public-private investment in job training. We’re expanding Pathways programs in Delaware high schools and middle schools. By 2024, more than 80 percent of all public high school students in Delaware will be enrolled in some form of job training. And we’re focusing on in-demand skills training for students and adults, including programs for health care, logistics, IT, and finance.

The fact is, Delaware remains a tremendous place for companies of any size to put down roots, grow, and create good-paying jobs. We have a world-class workforce, a strategic location along I-95, responsive leadership in the public and private sectors, and great communities to raise a family. I firmly believe that Delaware’s best days are ahead.