An Expanded Focus

DELAWARE BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FORM THE NEW KENT SUSSEX LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE

CEOs and other top business leaders from central Delaware recently the formed the Kent Sussex Leadership Alliance (The Alliance), a nonprofit membership organization focused on identifying emerging community, social, and economic issues, as well as implementing projects that address the challenges to improve quality of life for residents of Kent and Sussex counties. The Alliance launched as a strategic expansion of the former Greater Kent Committee, building on its strong foundation of successful endeavors, experience, and an established partnership network to further empower businesses and create thriving communities throughout downstate Delaware. Currently, The Alliance has almost 100 active members—70% of whom are engaged in business in both Kent and Sussex counties—who represent top business executives in their company or organization.

“Over the past several decades, the Greater Kent Committee has engaged in collaborations that have successfully identified and addressed many critical challenges in central Delaware,” said David Blaeuer, president of the Kent Sussex Leadership Alliance and executive director of First State Orthopaedics. “The expanded scope of The Alliance will truly transform the ways we strategize, uncover and leverage opportunities, advance business goals, and achieve our mission.”

The Alliance structures its mission on being Delawarecentric, data-driven, and partnershipdedicated to ensure its involvement will effect measurable and meaningful change for a significant portion of the community. Because the organization now unites business leaders from both counties, it has the resources to more effectively identify and address many critical issues as well as increase its political and strategic influence on decisions that impact local businesses and residents. Three key growth areas achieved by The Alliance are:

• Increase presence in Delaware’s General Assembly to protect business interests

• Take on bigger projects that will lead to greater economic impact

• Focus on tackling one of the biggest challenges faced far and wide—fortifying the workforce

As The Alliance assesses and strategizes for upcoming initiatives, it does so backed by a track record of taking the right kind of action to support economic development. Recent successes include creating DE Turf, a sports complex serving as an economic engine for the community; supporting the establishment of the CenDel Foundation, which significantly increased the availability of low-rent space for nonprofits; and leading the charge to reorganize and find new leadership for Choose Central Delaware.

“Kent and Sussex counties have entered a pivotal new chapter—united in voice, action, and progress for the businesses and people of Delaware,” said William J. Strickland, past president of the Greater Kent Committee and president and principal of L&W Insurance. “As we grow our membership, The Alliance will create a continuum of advocacy and action, helping to make a substantial impact on the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors throughout downstate Delaware.”

Learn more at www.KentSussexLeadershipAlliance.com.