From our Director









Judy McKinney-Cherry,
DEDO Director



2008 is off to a very busy start!  I am pleased to share good news about our recent successes at the Delaware Economic Development Office.

In late December, Streamline Industries, a minority-owned, high-tech company announced plans to start a new company in Delaware using two patents licensed under Delaware’s Intellectual Property Business Creation Program.

January started off on a high note, thanks to our first-ever “Open Door for Business” event. We hosted 12 business owners and professionals who had an opportunity to discuss business topics with me. In fact, we had a waiting list for professionals wanting to sign up for the event. The questions and comments were poignant, and our staff has been in contact with our guests to follow up on their opportunities. In light of the success, we will be holding another Open Door Session in the spring.

I am also excited to announce, the Delaware Economic Development Office has been awarded a USDA Rural Development Grant of more than $243,000 from the federal government. The grant will be used to bolster our business development efforts in our downtown revitalization programs, especially in rural communities in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Finally, we have just received the results of a recently completed 2007 Assessment of our customer service to our clients and internal customers. I am pleased to share with you that DEDO has been viewed as a valuable asset, engaged and out-of-the-box innovators. 

We have been requested to share more of our news and happenings with our clients and stakeholders. My colleagues look forward to working more closely with our clients this year as we continue to provide outstanding service for our business community.

We have many projects lined up for 2008, and our entire team is moving to recruit new businesses to Delaware while offering assistance to help our existing businesses thrive. We look forward to working with you for a prosperous 2008!

Warm Regards,






ABOUT THE DELAWARE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
The mission of the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) is to be responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the State, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State.

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WHAT’S NEW?

Patent Signing – Congratulations to Streamline Industries and the Townsend Family for being the first entrepreneurs to obtain patents as a result of the state of Delaware’s Intellectual Property Business Creation Program. More that 250 patents from two of Delaware’s legacy companies are available to encourage entrepreneurialism through this exciting program. The proof is that on December 27, Director Judy McKinney-Cherry and Streamline CEO Eric Townsend signed a contract handing over two patents to the company dealing with environmentally friendly automobile finishes and coatings.  Townsend and his father expect to launch their business in northern New Castle County this year.

Governor's Tourism Summit Slated for April 17 – The Governor's Tourism Summit is an annual conference for Delaware's tourism industry offering information on the latest trends and best practices in tourism destination marketing, business development, technology applications, and workforce recruitment and retention. This year's Summit is scheduled for April 17, 2008 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. The event will be from 7:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., followed by a sensational after-Summit business bash.

Thank you to our Awards Luncheon sponsor, The Baltimore Sun Media Group; the Business Bash at the Summit sponsor; Southern Living magazine; the Program & Reference Book sponsor, Aloysius Butler & Clark; Summit Tote Bag sponsor, the Washington Post Companies; and our Exhibitors, AAA World; Amtrak; Coastal Living magazine; Friends of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware Express and History Channel magazine.

Additional sponsorships are still available, but selling out fast…including the Governor’s Tourism Summit Title Sponsorship, which offers maximum exposure for your organization!  Don’t miss this tremendous opportunity to get your name in front of hundreds of tourism industry decision-makers! For sponsorship information, please contact Adam Berger at adam.berger@state.de.us or (302) 672-6841 or visit the Governor’s Tourism Summit website at http://dedo.delaware.gov/GTS.html. Full Conference Registration per person $135.00 ($155.00 after April 4, 2008).

Budget Request – Delaware Economic Development Office Director Judy McKinney-Cherry and staff members presented its 2008 Governor’s Recommended Budget request to the Legislative Joint Finance Committee on Thursday, January 31, in Dover. The Director was joined by Deputy Director Tom McCarthy as well as selected colleagues. The innovative presentation featured a power point display highlighting the most important features of the budget request. DEDO's budget presentation may be viewed by clicking here.

DEDO Seeking Professional Certification – This spring a three person team from the prestigious International Economic Development Council, or IEDC, will visit DEDO to determine if our organization is worthy of professional accreditation. The IEDC team will examine everything related to the DEDO mission (budget, ROI on projects, internal processes, staff recruitment and development and more).  DEDO is pursuing professional certification for the same reasons that our business clients pursue certification:  to validate our penchant for hard work, high standards and results. 

Open Door For Business – Thank you to everyone who participated in the Delaware Economic Development Office’s “Open Door for Business” event that was held on January 9. Director Judy McKinney Cherry hosted 12 business owners, entrepreneurs, and business professionals for 10-minute, one-on-one conversations. Ken Anderson, the Director of Entrepreneurial & Small Business Support, was also on hand to answer questions. The full slate of guests posed a variety of interesting and thoughtful business questions. Our guests were interested in business financing, partnering with DEDO and other small businesses, expanding their businesses, entrepreneurship, tourism and other topics. This event is part of DEDO’s new Marketing Plan, so look for the next “Open Door for Business” session in late Spring. 

DEDO Awarded Rural Development Grant – We are excited to announce that DEDO has been awarded a USDA Rural Development Grant of about $243,000 from the federal government as a result of Diane Laird’s efforts earlier this year. Diane is the State Coordinator of the Delaware Main Street Program. This is the only grant awarded in Delaware and Maryland, and serves as a major boost for our Main Street and Downtown Delaware initiatives. The funds will be used predominantly to provide tech assistance and training to rural communities and towns statewide, with some emphasis on seven rural communities in Kent and Sussex counties. The purpose of the assistance is to create and implement economic development strategies locally, with potential for communities to develop comprehensive Main Street programs or downtown revitalization. Look for a special award event in February.

How am I doing? – Remember this signature greeting of former New York Mayor Ed Koch?  We ask that same question a lot to keep our finger on the pulse of business.  Recently DEDO did a professional assessment of both businesses and our own staff.  Here is what Delaware businesses had to say of DEDO:  (1) “Out of the box” in its thinking, (2) successful in attracting sustainable wage jobs and (3) exceeds expectations in customer service.  The same survey provided us good feedback on how we can improve, like better communicating the measures we use to gauge our effectiveness.  We will do it and you will read about it on these pages in future weeks.  Thank you; we’re glad we asked!

DEDO To Address Women Business Owners’ Luncheon – Ken Anderson, DEDO’s Director of Entrepreneurial & Small Business Support, will address the National Association of Women Business Owners public policy luncheon on Wednesday, February 27 at the Ed Oliver House, Wilmington , beginning at 11 a.m. Ken will serve as a panelist discussing the importance of becoming involved in public policy.  For information, contact Ken at Kenneth.R.Anderson@state.de.us or call (302) 577-8496.

Health Sciences Cluster Report Released – The Delaware Economic Development Office announces the release of the Delaware Health Science Industry Cluster Report. This report indicates positive economic growth and organizational progress for the year-old cluster. Over twenty business leaders came together over the last six months to participate in various discussions and exercises specifically designed to identify their collective strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. These meetings will serve as an ongoing networking tool for the existing businesses within Delaware, as well as a recruitment tool for new health science businesses. For more information, please contact Patty Cannon, Health Sciences & Medical Device Cluster Market Leader at patricia.cannon@state.de.us or call (302) 577-8485.

DEDO Strengthens Biotechnology Recruitment – The Delaware Economic Development Office continues on its path to recruit biotechnology firms to the state. Just last month, we served as a major supporter of the annual Bio-Life Tech Conference in Baltimore. This conference is the exclusive Life Science and Healthcare Venture event for the leaders of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Congratulations to Michael Kerr of Orphagenix and Dr. Charles Saller of Analytical Biological Services! Both of these Delaware companies made presentations at the conference.

Getting Set for BRAC – DEDO’s Jeff Stone, Director of Infrastructure & Intergovernmental Relations, is leading the charge along with the City of Wilmington and New Castle County in preparation for the BRAC movement from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.  Jeff recently presented an in-depth report on the BRAC initiative and indicated significant acceleration in moving the process forward.  His recommendations included a trip to New Jersey for a meeting with the commanding general, advise contractors of possible opportunities, working with the University of Delaware and planning for secure office space in New Castle County. For more information contact Jeff Stone at jeff.stone@state.de.us or call (302) 672-6849.

Wilmington Grand Prix Goes National – The Bank of America Wilmington Grand Prix is now part of the USA Cycling 2008 National Race Calendar, in only its second year of operation. This year’s Wilmington Grand Prix takes place on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17, 2008. The race course is a one-mile rectangle in downtown Wilmington bordered by Market Street, 11 Street, and West and Fifth Streets.  Last year, nearly 200 racers and about 5,000 spectators took part in the inaugural event. For more information contact Tourism Cluster Market Leader Tim Morgan at tim.morgan@state.de.us or call  (302) 672-6838.

New Technology in Automotive Manufacturing & Associated Plastics Cluster – As part of Delaware’s focus on renewable energy sources, a University of Delaware faculty team has created a system that allows a vehicle to run entirely on electricity, but also to generate revenue by storing and providing electricity for utilities. This technology, known as V2G, for vehicle-to-grid, lets electricity flow from the car’s battery to power lines and back. In addition, the V2G car produces no carbon dioxide emissions while attaining a top speed of about 95 miles per hour. DEDO’s Terry Deputy, Automotive Cluster Market Leader, is working closely in the efforts to advance this technology. For more information, contact Terry at terry.deputy@state.de.us or call (302) 672-6802.

Meeting Planners Coming to Dover – The Delaware Tourism Office is excited to support the Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau as they host the Meetings Quest Tradeshows at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino on Thursday and Friday, March 13-14, 2008.  Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your company to hundreds of meeting planners. For information, visit www.vip-quest.net, or call 800-735-7770.