Delaware Business Magazine January/February 2026

DELAWARE

BUSINESS January/February 2026

$5.00

DSCC ANNUAL REPORT WSFS Financial Corporation Chairman, President, and CEO Rodger Levenson

A PUBLICATION OF THE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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Periodicals

DELAWARE STATE

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The Annual Taste of Delaware celebrated Delaware Day in Washington, D.C., showcasing some of the First State’s culinary favorites. Among them was DSCC Member Dogfish Head, who celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025.

Departments

In this Issue Annual Report THE CHAMBER STAFF................................................................................... 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT................................................................... 3

President’s Message...........................3 Legislative Priority............................. 17 From Survey to Strategy Member News and Notes.................. 20 Business Spotlight: AKA Advisory Nonprofit Spotlight: Impact Life

STATE CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND GOVERNORS............................... 4

Welcome New Members.................... 30

2026 DELAWARE BUSINESS EDITORIAL CALENDAR.......................................... 7

Chamber Scene................................. 33

CHAIR’S MESSAGE....................................................................................... 8

Newsbites......................................... 80

LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP............................................................................... 12

Chamber Calendar............................ 84

COVER STORY............................................................................................ 38

For Assistance, Contact the Chamber..................................... 88

DELAWARE’S COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE....................................................... 44 POLICY & ECONOMIC FORECAST.................................................................. 60 ANNUAL REPORT........................................................................................ 68

Volume 31, Number 1 / Delaware Business (USPS 012098) (ISSN 153253542) is published bi-monthly by the DSCC Center for Business Management. Subscription price is $30 a year (included in membership dues). Known office of publication is 1201 N. Orange St., Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19801. Periodicals postage paid Wilmington, DE 19850.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Delaware Business, c/o DSCC Center for Business Management, P.O. Box 671, Wilmington, DE 19899-0671. Telephone (302) 655-7221.

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On the Cover WSFS Financial Corporation Chairman, President, and CEO Rodger Levenson.

Photo by Nick Wallace Photography 1

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

2025 Delaware State Chamber Staff

EDITORIAL STAFF John C. Gooden Chair

Michael J. Quaranta President

Regina Donato Editor

Christina Jones Graphic Design

Michael A. Meoli The Meoli Companies

David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE Beebe Healthcare

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR John C. Gooden M. Davis & Sons, Inc.

Terry Glebocki Delaware Park Casino & Racing

Catherine M. Bassett Mountaire Farms

Natalie Keefer Bank of America

Scott Baylis WSFS Bank

Goldey-Beacom College

Andrew Cottone, Ph.D. Aternium

Nicholas A. Moriello, RHU Healthcare Innovation Colleen Perry Keith, Ph.D. Acceleration, LLC Robert McGuckin Verizon

Greg Smith The Chemours Company

Bridget Therriault AstraZeneca Rod Ward CSC Ann B. Wayne SUN Behavioral Delaware

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MICHAEL J. QUARANTA PRESIDENT

KELLY BASILE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

DANIELLE BLAKE VICE PRESIDENT, MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

Michael A. Albero, CPA, MST+ AKA Advisory, LLC Tony Allen, Ph.D. Delaware State University

Brian DiSabatino EDiS Company

Mark Hutton M&T Bank

Chip Rankin MilliCare

Walter Donaldson Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan, LLP

Amanda Irwin Mountaire Farms

Michael Ratchford W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

LeVar Johnson Novo Nordisk

Dr. Rob Rescigno Collaborative Consulting LLC

Cathy Kanefsky Food Bank of Delaware

Lloyd A. Ricketts Wilmington University

Melissa Kenny ShopRites of Delaware

Robert “Rob” Rider, Jr. O.A. Newton

Lisa M. Donlon, PE Pierre Anderson Artesian Water Company, Inc. VanDemark & Lynch Janet Dougherty Steve Baccino Fulton Bank, N.A. Chesapeake Utilities Christopher W. Baker George & Lynch, Inc,

Thère du Pont Longwood Foundation

Greg Ballance Diamond Technologies

Jerry Esposito Espo Enterprises, LLC

Bettina Tweardy Riveros Apollo Khine ​Barclays US Consumer Bank ChristianaCare

Jake Ruddy Matthew Lantange John C. Fannin III TD Bank PCS Harvey, Hanna & Associates Alan Levin Rhett Ruggerio G. Kevin Fasic, Esq. SoDel Concepts Ruggerio Willson Watson Mike B. Berardi Wohlsen Construction Co. Offit Kurman Dennis M. Salter Mike Little Jennalee Fede, PE Allen Harim Edinburgh Capital Adam Blackford Verdantas LLC Management LLC Agilent Technologies Andy Lubin Brian Frazee Delaware Financial Group Chris Schell Robert A. Book II Schell Brothers Delaware Electric Cooperative Delaware Healthcare Mac Macleod Association Carvertise Albert Shields Jennifer Gimler Brady Donald T. Fulton Delaware Athletics, Potter Anderson & Scott Malfitano Weiner Benefits Group Community, & Corroon LLP CSC Campus Recreation Martha S. Gilman Dr. Mark T. Brainard William E. Manning Cornell Property Robert S. Smith Delaware Technical Saul Ewing LLP Management Corp.

Santora CPA Group Community College Paul M. McConnell Joseph V. Giordano Beth G. Brand McConnell Development, Inc. Jonathan Starkey Whisman Giordano & Delaware State University University of Delaware Katie McEvoy Associates, LLC Mark Stellini AT&T Delaware Chris Buccini Jason D. Gonzalez Assurance Media Buccini Pollin Group Gregory Miraglia Qnity™ Electronics, Inc. Mike Tatoian PNC Bank Desa Burton Jeff Gosnear Dover Motor Speedway Zip Code Wilmington Jeff Mitchell Grotto Pizza Jim Taylor Siegfried Advisory Darren Buseman Lorri Grayson Saul Ewing LLP B&M Meats, Inc. Jonathan D. Moll, CPA GGA Construction Belfint, Lyons & Shuman Ivan Thomas Robert L. Byrd Dr. LaVerne T. Harmon DETV ByrdGomes Chad Moore Wilmington University Jana Tidwell Beacon Hospitality Patrick Callihan Paul Heath AAA Club Alliance Tech Impact Colleen Morrone Richards, Layton & Finger Vera Holmes Toliver Goodwill of Delaware Christopher Carroll Logan S. Herring, Sr. DuPont Comcast Terry Murphy The WRK Group Michael S. Uffner Bayhealth Medical Center Stuart Comstock-Gay Kirsten Higgins AutoTeam Delaware Delaware Community Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH Tidewater Utilities, Inc. Mike Vanderslice Foundation ChristianaCare Marie Holliday, CPA* Montrose Environmental Charlie Copeland Chris O’Neill The Bonadio Group Group Associates International, Inc. PSCI Tom Horne Robert W. Whetzel Pam Cornforth Jed Patterson JPMorgan Chase Richards, Layton & Finger Ronald McDonald House LabWare Michael Houghton Ed Winslow Charities of Greater Delaware Chris Perdue Morris, Nichols, Arsht Citizens Bank Jason Danner Perdue Farms & Tunnell, ret.

Kevin M. Wolfgang Kelly Benefits Strategies Robert W. Perkins Tim Houseal^ Evergreen Apartment Group Rick Deadwyler Brandywine Public Strategies Young Conaway Stargatt +Treasurer Corteva Agriscience™ & Taylor, LLP Mike Petka ^Counsel Ernest Dianastasis Bancroft Construction Jessica Hunt Marcus Beal Delmarva Power

MELISSA BRAYMAN DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE

REGINA DONATO DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS

DAE’SHAWN NIXON DIRECTOR, DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER FOUNDATION

AMANDA SCHIMMEL MANAGER, MARKETING & STRATEGIC PROGRAMS

KERRI WELCHER EVENTS MANAGER

TORI WILL MANAGER, ADMINISTRATIVE & MEMBER SUPPORT

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The Precisionists, Inc.

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Siemens-Healthineers

Company

*Immediate Past Chair

Melissa Brayman Director, Administration & Finance

Dae’Shawn Nixon Director, Delaware State Chamber Foundation

Kerri Welcher Manager, Events

Regina Donato Director, Communications

Evan R. Park Vice President, Government Relations

STAFF Michael J. Quaranta President Kelly Basile Chief Operating Officer

E

ELAWARE STAT

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

DAMON HOWARD MANAGER, DIGITAL & PRINT ADVERTISING

1201 NORTH ORANGE STREET, P.O. BOX 671 WILMINGTON, DE 19899-0671 WWW.DSCC.COM

Danielle Blake Vice President, Member Engagement

Damon Howard Manager, Digital & Print Advertising

Tori Will Manager, Administrative & Member Support

Amanda Schimmel Marketing & Strategic Programs

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Message from the President BY MICHAEL J. QUARANTA LIKE THE SUCCESSES experienced by many of our Delaware State Chamber members, 2025 was a very good year! We started the year by delivering our first Delaware Competitiveness Bluebook, sold a record number of memberships, rebranded our workforce development and education nonprofit into the Delaware State Chamber Foundation, ended the year with a new legislative scorecard, and much more. Let me break this down.

The Delaware Competitiveness Bluebook is a great tool for business leaders, policymakers, voters, and more. The charts and tables provide fair assessments of where we stand compared with other states. Our goal is to draw attention to where we are positioned on indicators that form the basis of our prosperity — both strengths and weaknesses. Our shortcomings, in some cases, become priorities for us when they align with our member survey results.

In some cases, these priority issues have been studied and analyzed thoroughly. Our foundation will look at existing studies and policy recommendations, conduct additional research when needed, dig deeper

into policy recommendations and options, and lateral specific “to-dos” to our policy team for execution. The challenge for our foundation board and staff is to break apart priority issues and find manageable pieces we can solve. If we don’t take on this important work, all those studies and recommendations you have read about over the years become “SPOTS,” or “strategic plans on the shelf.”

We also launched the first version of our new legislative scorecard a few months ago. This new publication, How They Voted, will be sharpened in 2026 to match key business community priorities and score legislators based on how they vote on “pro-growth and prosperity” bills. Our mission is to help employers and their employees succeed, grow, and prosper. And while we believe some members of the General Assembly propose legislation that is well-intentioned, they have not invested the necessary time to understand the implications of the layers and layers of policy they create.

Finally, 2026 will be my last year leading the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. It has been a great experience to work alongside such a talented team of staff members, board members, and business leaders to modernize the organization. During my tenure, we have grown our revenues by more than $1 million, taken the steps I have highlighted above, refitted our office space, and more. I am proud of our members and the team for trusting me to guide these changes. I will leave knowing that the State Chamber is in a strong position and the future looks very bright.

Compete for grant funding through the next round of our EDGE (Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion) initiative. It’s a great way to help your small business start or grow!

EDGE Webinar: Application Period: Friday, February 6 Friday, March 6

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2025 Board of Directors

2025 Board of Governors

MARIE HOLLIDAY, CPA, CHAIR THE BONADIO GROUP

JOHN C. GOODEN VICE CHAIR M. DAVIS & SONS, INC.

MICHAEL A. ALBERO, CPA, MST, TREASURER AKA ADVISORY, LLC

TONY ALLEN, PH.D. DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

PIERRE ANDERSON ARTESIAN WATER COMPANY, INC.

STEVE BACCINO CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES

CHRIS BAKER GEORGE & LYNCH, INC.

GREG BALLANCE DIAMOND TECHNOLOGIES

CATHERINE M. BASSETT MOUNTAIRE FARMS

ANDREW COTTONE, III, PH.D. ATERNIUM

SCOTT BAYLIS WSFS BANK

MIKE B. BERARDI WOHLSEN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

ADAM BLACKFORD AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES

ROBERT A. BOOK, II DELAWARE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

JULIAN H. “PETE” BOOKER DELAWARE PUBLIC MEDIA

JENNIFER GIMLER BRADY POTTER ANDERSON & CORROON LLP

DR. LAVERNE T. HARMON WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

TOM HORNE JPMORGAN CHASE

DR. MARK T. BRAINARD DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BETH BRAND UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

DESA BURTON ZIP CODE WILMINGTON

DARREN BUSEMAN B&M MEATS, INC.

ROBERT L. BYRD BYRDGOMES

PATRICK CALLIHAN TECH IMPACT

NATALIE KEEFER BANK OF AMERICA

ROBERT MCGUCKIN VERIZON

CHRISTOPHER CARROLL COMCAST

STUART COMSTOCK-GAY DELAWARE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

CHARLIE COPELAND ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

PAM CORNFORTH RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF GREATER DELAWARE

JASON DANNER KELLY BENEFIT STRATEGIES

RICK DEADWYLER CORTEVA AGRISCIENCETM

MICHAEL A. MEOLI THE MEOLI COMPANIES

NICHOLAS A. MORIELLO HEALTHCARE INNOVATION ACCELERATION, LLC

ERNEST DIANASTASIS THE PRECISIONISTS, INC.

BRIAN DISABATINO EDIS COMPANY

WALTER DONALDSON FREEH SPORKIN & SULLIVAN, LLP

LISA M. DONLON, PE VANDEMARK & LYNCH

JANET DOUGHERTY FULTON BANK, NA

THÈRE DU PONT LONGWOOD FOUNDATION

GREG SMITH THE CHEMOURS COMPANY

DAVID A. TAM, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE BEEBE HEALTHCARE

JERRY ESPOSITO ESPO ENTERPRISES, LLC

JOHN C. FANNIN III HARVEY HANNA & ASSOCIATES

G. KEVIN FASIC, ESQ. OFFIT KURMAN

JENNALEE FEDE, PE VERDANTAS LLC

BRIAN FRAZEE DELAWARE HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION

DON FULTON WEINER BENEFITS GROUP

BRIDGET THERRIAULT ​ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP

ANN B. WAYNE, BSN, RN SUN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

MARTHA S. GILMAN CORNELL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CORP.

JOSEPH V. GIORDANO WHISMAN GIORDANO & ASSOCIATES, LLC

TERRY GLEBOCKI DELAWARE PARK CASINO & RACING

JASON D. GONZALEZ QNITY™ ELECTRONICS, INC.

LOGAN S. HERRING, SR. THE WRK GROUP

KIRSTEN HIGGINS TIDEWATER UTILITIES, INC.

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MICHAEL HOUGHTON MORRIS, NICHOLS, ARSHT & TUNNELL, LLP, RET.

TIMOTHY HOUSEAL COUNSEL YOUNG CONAWAY STARGATT & TAYLOR, LLP

JESSICA HUNT ​SIEMENS-HEALTHINEERS

MARK HUTTON M&T BANK

LEVAR JOHNSON NOVO NORDISK

CATHY KANEFSKY FOOD BANK OF DELAWARE

COLLEEN PERRY KEITH, PH.D. GOLDEY-BEACOM COLLEGE

MELISSA KENNY SHOPRITES OF DELAWARE

APOLLO KHINE ​BARCLAYS US CONSUMER BANK

MATTHEW LANTANGE TD BANK

ALAN LEVIN SODEL CONCEPTS

ANDY LUBIN DELAWARE FINANCIAL GROUP

MAC MACLEOD CARVERTISE

SCOTT MALFITANO CSC

WILLIAM E. MANNING SAUL EWING LLP

PAUL M. MCCONNELL MCCONNELL DEVELOPMENT, INC.

KATIE MCEVOY AT&T

GREGORY MIRAGLIA PNC BANK

JEFF MITCHELL SIEGFRIED ADVISORY, LLC

JONATHAN D. MOLL, CPA ​BELFINT, LYONS & SHUMAN

CHAD MOORE BEACON HOSPITALITY

TERRY MURPHY BAYHEALTH MEDICAL CENTER

JANICE E. NEVIN, M.D, MPH CHRISTIANACARE

CHRIS O’NEILL PSCI

JED PATTERSON ​LABWARE

CHRIS PERDUE PERDUE FARMS

ROBERT W. PERKINS BRANDYWINE PUBLIC STRATEGIES

CHIP RANKIN MILLICARE

MICHAEL RATCHFORD W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

DR. ROB RESCIGNO COLLABORATIVE CONSULTING LLC

LLOYD A RICKETTS WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

ROBERT RIDER, JR. O.A. NEWTON

BETTINA TWEARDY RIVEROS CHRISTIANACARE

SALVATORE J. “CHIP” ROSSI

JAMES J. ROSZKOWSKI DISCOVER BANK

JAKE RUDDY PCS

RHETT RUGGERIO RUGGERIO WILLSON & WATSON

DENNIS M. SALTER EDINBURGH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC

GREG SAWKA BANCROFT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

CHRIS SCHELL SCHELL BROTHERS

ALBERT SHIELDS DELAWARE ATHLETICS, COMMUNITY, & CAMPUS RECREATION

ROBERT S. SMITH SANTORA CPA GROUP

JONATHAN STARKEY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

MARK STELLINI ASSURANCE MEDIA

MIKE TATOIAN DOVER MOTOR SPEEDWAY

JIM TAYLOR SAUL EWING LLP

IVAN THOMAS DETV

JANA TIDWELL ​AAA CLUB ALLIANCE

MICHAEL S. UFFNER AUTOTEAM DELAWARE

MIKE VANDERSLICE MONTROSE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP

ROD WARD CSC

ROBERT W. WHETZEL RICHARDS, LAYTON & FINGER

ED WINSLOW CITIZENS BANK

KEVIN M. WOLFGANG EVERGREEN APARTMENT GROUP

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POWERING WHAT’S IMPORTANT.

From hospitals to homes and everything in between, Nickle keeps the power on.

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DELAWARE BUSINESS

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DELAWARE BUSINESS 2026 EDITORIAL CALENDAR*

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Delaware Business is published six times a year, featuring a wide range of editorial content of interest to the business community. Below is the editorial calendar, including special advertising sections and advertising space reservation deadlines: March/April Real Estate & Construction Health Care & Insurance Taxes Workforce Development Space reservation: February 6, 2026 May/June Superstars in Education Internships & Apprenticeships Legal, Government Affairs & Inc Services Wellness & Health Space reservation: April 3, 2026

July/August Tourism Agriculture Higher Learning Hospitality Insurance & Financial Services Space reservation: June 5, 2026 September/October Health & Wellness Education & Upskilling Manufacturing Space reservation: August 7, 2026

November/December Superstars in Business Construction & Real Estate Technology & Innovation Banking Space reservation: October 2, 2026 January/February 2027 State Chamber Annual Report The State Chamber’s Year in Review A Look at Statewide Economic Development & Advocacy Delaware’s Competitiveness Landscape Space reservation: December 4, 2026

* This calendar lists cover story topics and special advertising segments. Editorial topics are subject to change. Advertisers will be notified of any significant changes to content. All ads are due one week after space reservation deadline. To reserve space, contact Damon Howard at (302) 576-6579 or DHoward@dscc.com.

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Chair Message BY MARIE HOLLIDAY, CPA MY FIRM WAS FORTUNATE to win the Superstars in Business Award several years ago. Up until that time, I participated in a State Chamber committee here and there, but I would not have called myself an “active participant” or fully engaged with the organization.

However, shortly after the awards ceremony, Mike Quaranta tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wanted to be on the Board of Governors.

Of course, I was honored to be asked and said yes to his request. In my new role, I wanted to do more than attend a few meetings, so I volunteered for the Superstars in Business committee to help choose future award winners.

Next thing I know, Mike tapped me on the shoulder again, indicating that the State Chamber needed accounting advice and asked if I would be interested in serving as treasurer of the State Chamber board. I said yes again. It was a challenging time while I was treasurer. We were amid the pandemic, and we were worried about whether we would be able to raise enough revenue to continue operations. We cleaned up the books after the controller took a leave of absence, streamlined accounting processes, and kept the organization on track.

Once again, Mike tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wanted to be the board chair. Although the role seemed intimidating, I said yes. I never aspired to step into this role, but I can honestly say the experience has been quite rewarding. Not only did I have the pleasure of collaborating with wonderful people at the State Chamber, but I met many business leaders in the state of Delaware. During my tenure as chair, the State Chamber completed a construction project to modernize its office to better serve its members and finalized a strategic planning process to provide a clear roadmap for the organization’s long-term success.

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One of the key components of the State Chamber’s strategic plan is a greater shift toward business advocacy by influencing public policy, regulations, and legislation that promote business growth. Let’s be honest: Economic prosperity in Delaware is directly tied to a strong business community. Even before the strategic planning process, our representatives were meeting more regularly with legislators to recommend changes that achieved policy goals without placing unnecessary burdens on employers.

Those relationships were improving, but they still weren’t generating enough awareness or support for the business community’s concerns. It was clear additional steps would be needed to achieve our goals.

One of these efforts is the State Chamber’s “How They Voted” tool, which has been designed to show our members how the General Assembly has voted on bills that grow the economy versus ones that are “job killers” and take us in the wrong direction. This year, a scorecard will be published on each legislator prior to the 2026 elections. Points will be awarded to those who support economic growth and greater prosperity for employers and employees. Points will be subtracted when votes reflect moving taxpayers in the wrong direction. Our goal is to raise awareness so voters can make informed decisions that truly matter to Delaware’s business community.

So, when a State Chamber member taps you on the shoulder asking for your assistance, please say yes to their request. Your efforts will make an impact and spark progress.

Marie Holliday is regional managing partner for the Mid-Atlantic region at The Bonadio Group.

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Barclays proudly supports Celebrating 20 Years DCRAC/Stepping Stones of and andPartnership their work driving Progress in Wilmington change in our communities Pride in Delaware is more than

sentiment — it’s part of who we are.

For two decades, Barclays has built a legacy of vision, partnership, and

community impact. As we look ahead, our roots in Wilmington remain

strong — an exceptional place to work, a hub of innovation, and a true home.

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Chair Message BY JOHN C. GOODEN IT’S AN EXCITING TIME to be part of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. As we enter 2026, our new strategic plan is setting the stage for a stronger Delaware, a state where businesses of every size can thrive, innovate, and grow. Our goal is simple but bold: to strengthen Delaware’s business climate in ways that elevate both our economic vitality and the quality of life for Delawareans.

We know the challenges facing our state, including a single-party government, an aging population, workforce shortages, permitting hurdles, and rising health care costs. These issues are real, and they require thoughtful solutions. That’s why the State Chamber is leaning in more than ever. We are committed to being the voice that brings practical, data-driven ideas to the governor, Cabinet, and General Assembly. As this strategic plan continues to take hold, I’m confident it will help sharpen Delaware’s competitive edge.

A significant factor in that competitive strength is our manufacturing sector. From long-standing industries like food processing and chemicals to rapidly expanding fields like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and power generation, manufacturing in Delaware is dynamic and on the rise.

According to the Delaware Manufacturing Association, more than 600 manufacturers call Delaware home, generating $7.5 billion in output and offering average annual compensation of more than $95,000.

To shine a spotlight on this incredible sector, we launched the Coolest Thing Made in Delaware competition in 2024. This initiative has become a showcase of Delaware ingenuity, highlighting everything from lifechanging medical technology to advanced scientific instruments. Hologic’s 3D mammography system took home the inaugural award, followed by Agilent’s Resolve handheld Raman spectrometer in 2025. Each year, the award is presented at our Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference, a 10

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testament to the momentum building in this sector.

Delaware’s manufacturing future depends on one crucial element: talent.

In Delaware, vocational schools continue to be a model of excellence, and our apprenticeship programs are growing steadily. Our nationally recognized Pathways program gives students real-world experience aligned with their career goals, helping ensure a stronger pipeline.

Still, more work remains ahead. We must continue advocating for workforce development funding, and we need employers across every industry to engage in shaping curriculum, offering internships, and investing in work-based learning. The state’s renewed focus on workforce development is encouraging. Gov. Meyer’s Executive Order #1, which expands youth apprenticeships, represents a significant step forward, giving young people the chance to build skills, earn wages, and avoid student debt. The restructuring of the Workforce Development Board and the creation of the Office of Workforce Development further signal the state’s commitment to align education and job readiness.

Delaware’s economy has significant potential. Whether you’re an employer, educator, policymaker, or community partner, your engagement is essential. Together, we can strengthen our workforce, expand our industries, and help build a bright future for the state we call home.

I’m honored to serve as chair for the next two years and look forward to working alongside each of you as we continue driving Delaware forward.

John C. Gooden is chief operating officer at M. Davis & Sons.

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LEGISLATIVE LEGISLATIVE LEGISLATIVEROUNDUP ROUNDUP ROUNDUP RD RD RDRD 153 153 153 153 GENERAL GENERAL GENERAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY

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DSCC DSCCSUPPORTED: SUPPORTED: SS SS1 1for forSB SB21: 21:General GeneralCorporation CorporationLaw Law

HB HB164: 164:Transportation TransportationTrust TrustFund Fund- ENACTED - ENACTED

- ENACTED - ENACTED

Establishes Establishes anan additional additional registration registration fee fee forfor electric electric vehicles vehicles toto support support the the Transportation Transportation Trust Trust Fund Fund and and help help offset offset declining declining gas gas taxtax revenues revenues received received byby DelDOT. DelDOT.

Updates Updates Delaware’s Delaware’s general general corporation corporation law. law.

HB HB175: 175:DNREC DNRECPermitting PermittingFees Fees- ENACTED - ENACTED Modernizes Modernizes regulatory regulatory fees fees across across several several ofof DNREC’s DNREC’s divisions divisions toto reflect reflect current current operational operational needs needs and and improve improve customer customer service service and and responsiveness. responsiveness.

HB HB80: 80:Renewable RenewableEnergy EnergyPortfolio Portfolio Standards Standards

- ENACTED - ENACTED Establishes Establishes a Retail a Retail Crime Crime Prevention Prevention Task Task Force, Force, which which the the State State Chamber Chamber has has a seat a seat on. on.

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DSCC DSCCMONITORED: MONITORED:

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HB HB40: 40:Registration RegistrationofofTrade TradeNames Names- ENACTED - ENACTED

SB SB59: 59:Public PublicUtilities Utilities- ENACTED - ENACTED

Codifies Codifies existing existing practice practice with with respect respect toto the the registration registration ofof trade trade names names forfor corporations corporations and and LLCs LLCs and and adds adds a $25 a $25 annual annual license license fee fee forfor Delaware Delaware corporations corporations and and LLCs LLCs not not doing doing business business inin Delaware Delaware but but desiring desiring a Delaware a Delaware trade trade name name registration. registration.

Amends Amends the the Public Public Utility Utility Code Code soso that that the the “prudence” “prudence” standard, standard, which which is is used used byby 4848 other other states, states, applies applies when when setting setting utility utility rates rates instead instead ofof the the “business “business judgment judgment rule.” rule.”

Creates Creates a new a new chapter chapter inin Title Title 2121 pertaining pertaining toto the the towing towing ofof vehicles vehicles without without the the consent consent ofof the the owner owner oror operator. operator.

HS HS2 2for forHB HB111: 111:Skip Skipthe theStuff StuffAct Act Prohibits Prohibits food food establishments establishments from from providing providing any any single-use single-use food food service service items items unless unless requested requested byby a customer. a customer.

SB SB104: 104:Trauma TraumaKits Kits Defines Defines what what a trauma a trauma kitkit is is and and requires requires the the managing managing entities entities ofof certain certain buildings buildings acquire acquire and and place place atat least least sixsix trauma trauma kits kits inin a clearly a clearly visible, visible, centrally centrally located, located, and and accessible accessible area. area.

HS HS2 2for forHB HB187: 187:Direct DirectPurchasing Purchasingand and - ENACTED Shipment ShipmentofofWine Wine- ENACTED Permits Permits wine wine producers producers holding holding a valid a valid license license inin Delaware Delaware oror another another state state toto obtain obtain a license a license and and ship ship wine wine directly directly toto Delaware Delaware consumers, consumers, soso long long asas it is it is done done through through aa common common carrier carrier permit. permit.

SB SB89: 89:Credit CreditCard CardTransactions Transactions Prohibits Prohibits a seller a seller that that regularly regularly accepts accepts payment payment byby credit credit card card from from (1)(1) imposing imposing a credit a credit card card surcharge surcharge greater greater than than the the percentage percentage processing processing fee fee charged charged byby the the credit credit card card company company forfor transactions transactions ofof $1,500 $1,500 oror less, less, and and (2)(2) refusing refusing toto accept accept payment payment byby credit credit card card oror imposing imposing any any credit credit card card surcharge surcharge forfor transactions transactions that that exceed exceed $1,500. $1,500.

SB SB244: 244:Expanded ExpandedPolystyrene Polystyrene

*Unless *Unless it’sit’s denoted denoted thatthat thethe legislation legislation waswas enacted, enacted, defeated defeated or vetoed, or vetoed, it did it did notnot complete complete thethe legislative legislative process process andand willwill be be carried carried over over to this to this year year if the if the sponsor sponsor intends intends to work to work thethe bill.bill.

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U a c

H D

P i a a

H C

P m p

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Prohibits Prohibits retail retail stores stores and and wholesalers wholesalers from from selling, selling, distributing, distributing, oror offering offering forfor sale sale expanded expanded polystyrene polystyrene foam foam products. products.

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SCR SCR12: 12:Retail RetailCrime CrimePrevention PreventionTask TaskForce Force

Rolls Rolls back back the the RPS RPS toto 10% 10% forfor the the next next ten ten years, years, providing providing time time forfor renewable renewable generation generation capacity capacity toto meet meet demand. demand.

HB HB67: 67:Private PrivateTow TowCompanies Companies- ENACTED - ENACTED

H

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R e l s

TheThe Delaware Delaware State State Chamber Chamber of Commerce of Commerce is committed is committed to leading to leading conversations conversations that that cancan address address Delaware’s Delaware’s biggest biggest challenges challenges with with practical, practical, forward-thinking forward-thinking solutions solutions to create to create jobsjobs andand increase increase prosperity prosperity for for all all Delawareans.

Delawareans.

DSCC DSCCNEUTRAL NEUTRAL

2025 2025

HSHS 2 for 2 for HB HB 105: 105: Pay Pay Transparency Transparency - ENACTED - ENACTED

SBSB 60:60: Public Public Utilities Utilities - ENACTED - ENACTED

Requires Requires businesses businesses with with over over 25 25 employees employees to post to post salary salary or or wage wage ranges ranges in job in job advertisements advertisements andand to maintain to maintain detailed detailed records records of job of job descriptions descriptions andand compensation compensation histories histories for for each each employee. employee.

Requires Requires thethe Delaware Delaware Public Public Service Service Commission Commission to ensure to ensure thatthat all all regulated regulated utilities utilities do do notnot useuse customer customer funds funds to to subsidize subsidize unregulated unregulated activities. activities.

DSCC DSCCOPPOSED: OPPOSED:

SBSB 61:61: Public Public Utilities Utilities - ENACTED - ENACTED Requires Requires thethe disclosure disclosure of votes of votes cast cast at meetings at meetings of, of, or or matters matters before, before, thethe PJMPJM Interconnection Interconnection Regional Regional Transmission Transmission Organization.

Organization.

HSHS 2 for 2 for HB HB 13:13: Personal Personal Income Income Taxes Taxes

HSHS 2 for 2 for HB HB 48:48: Accessible Accessible Parking Parking Spaces Spaces

- DEFEATED - DEFEATED

- ENACTED - ENACTED

Adjusts Adjusts Delaware’s Delaware’s existing existing personal personal income income taxtax brackets brackets by by creating creating three three new new toptop tiertier taxtax brackets brackets for for earners earners at 150k, at 150k, 250k, 250k, andand 500k.

500k.

Adds Adds provisions provisions to Title to Title 21 21 to better to better regulate, regulate, define, define, andand enforce enforce accessible accessible parking parking spaces spaces in Delaware. in Delaware.

Updates Updates thethe finefine structure structure for for major major commercial commercial polluters polluters andand increases increases thethe amount amount of penalty of penalty funds funds directed directed to to communities communities near near facilities facilities with with violations. violations.

compliance compliance with with Chapter Chapter 3535 by making by making thethe general general contractor contractor jointly jointly andand severally severally liable liable for for restitution restitution andand penalties penalties assessed assessed against against thethe subcontractor. subcontractor.

HB HB 115: 115: Weight/Height/Body Weight/Height/Body Size Size - FAILED - FAILED TO TO RELEASE RELEASE FROM FROM COMMITTEE COMMITTEE Discrimination Discrimination

HB HB 57:57: Home Home Construction Construction Contracts Contracts

SBSB 63:63: General General Contractor Contractor Liability Liability - GOVERNOR - GOVERNOR VETOED VETOED HB HB 210: 210: Pollution Pollution Accountability Accountability Act Act - ENACTED - ENACTED Makes Makes a general a general contractor contractor responsible responsible for for a subcontractor’s a subcontractor’s

Regulates Regulates home home improvement improvement contracts contracts by limiting by limiting contract contract and and material material deposits, deposits, establishing establishing time time periods periods in which in which Prohibits Prohibits discrimination discrimination based based on on weight, weight, height, height, or body or body sizesize construction must must begin, begin, andand gives gives homeowners homeowners thethe right right to to in transportation, in transportation, public public accommodation, accommodation, housing, housing, commerce commerce construction cancel. cancel. andand trade, trade, employment, employment, juryjury selection, selection, education, education, andand public public administration. administration.

HB HB 84:84: Employer Employer Sponsored Sponsored Meetings Meetings oror Communications Communications

HB HB 135: 135: Homelessness Homelessness Act Act

Establishes Establishes legal legal protections protections for for individuals individuals experiencing experiencing homelessness homelessness in Delaware. in Delaware.

Prohibits Prohibits employers employers from from requiring requiring employees employees to participate to participate in in SBSB 194: 194: Warehouse Warehouse Worker Worker Protections Protections mandatory mandatory meetings meetings or communications or communications thatthat areare religious religious or or Establishes Establishes worker worker protections protections for for employees employees who who work work in ain a political political in nature. in nature. warehouse warehouse distribution distribution center. center.

HSHS 1 for 1 for HB HB 162: 162: Multilevel Multilevel Distribution Distribution Companies Companies

HB HB 174: 174: Victims Victims Compensation Compensation Assistance Assistance

Imposes a surcharge a surcharge on on business, business, residential, residential, wireless, wireless, andand Establishes Establishes new new requirements requirements on on direct direct selling selling businesses businesses to to Imposes prepaid prepaid wireless wireless services services that that will will be be used used to fund to fund suicide suicide enhance enhance consumer consumer protection. protection. assistance assistance services. services.

SBSB 197: 197: Public Public Works Works Contracts Contracts

SBSB 46:46: Autonomous Autonomous Vehicles Vehicles

Requires Requires thatthat a contract a contract relating relating to atopublic a public works works project project Requires Requires a human a human observer observer to be to be physically physically present present in all in all executed executed after after December December 31,31, 2026, 2026, must must include include a project a project autonomous autonomous vehicles vehicles that that require require a Class a Class A commercial A commercial driver driver labor labor agreement agreement if the if the project project is for is for a school a school district district or charter or charter license license without without an an O restriction.

O restriction. school. school.

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2026 DELAWARE

COMPETITIVENESS AGENDA

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce serves as the leading voice for our state’s employers and employees, advancing policies that strengthen our competitiveness and drive job creation. Each year, our Competitiveness Agenda is shaped through detailed input to ensure it reflects the real needs of Delaware’s diverse business community.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING & EDUCATION • • •

Protect and strengthen business owners’ decision-making ability Promote innovative policies and training programs that help Delawareans find jobs in high growth, high demand, and emerging industries Support changes to the state workforce development system to reduce redundancy, enhance funding, and improve alignment with the business community’s needs

ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, & SUSTAINABILITY • • • •

Promote science-based environmental policies that reflect collaboration between all stakeholders to create practical policies and solutions that improve the environment while growing Delaware’s economy Encourage public and private sector investments that improve Delaware’s environment and create jobs Support the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites Invest in infrastructure that improves resiliency from natural disasters

HEALTH CARE • • •

Support efforts to strengthen the health care workforce to meet the needs of Delaware’s growing and aging population Promote workplace wellness programs and policies that improve the physical and mental health of Delawareans Collaborate with health care industries on efforts to reduce health care costs while maintaining health care quality and access

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT • • • • • • •

Improve Delaware’s national and regional competitiveness rankings for business Identify policies and strategies that lower Delaware’s cost of doing business Continue supporting initiatives to streamline Delaware’s permitting process Advocate for laws and law-making processes that provide certainty and predictability to stakeholders around timelines for development projects Invest in site and transportation infrastructure readiness so there are “options on the shelf” for future development Push forward policies that address affordability and the diversification of Delaware’s housing inventory Support “new economy” businesses and manufacturing expansion, along with investments in electric generation and grid infrastructure

FISCAL POLICY • • • •

Further tax policies that incentivize workforce training and development Protect Delaware’s banking and corporate franchises and inform policymakers about the impact that related jobs and revenue have on the State’s budget and economy Encourage pro-growth tax and spending policies that reduce revenue and budget volatility and preserve Delaware’s competitiveness and increase business’ ability to expand and create jobs Support policies that consolidate or sell state properties where utilization is low or facilities are obsolete

DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

1201 N. Orange St. | Ste. 200 | P.O. Box 671 | Wilmington, DE 19899-0671 | Phone: (302) 655-7221 | www.DSCC.com

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BUILDING COMMUNITY. INSPIRING CONNECTIONS. Since 1993, the Buccini Pollin Group has developed, acquired, and managed hotel, office, residential, retail, sports, entertainment, and parking properties while fueling our passion to foster thriving mixed-use communities in the cities we call home.

BPGROUP.NET

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PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF/FINAL FOCUS

MEET, CONNECT & GROW ON THE RIVERFRONT

CENTERONTHERIVERFRONT.COM | (302) 425-3929

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LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY

From Survey to Strategy

BY KELLY BASILE

PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF/FINAL FOCUS

EACH YEAR, the State Chamber’s annual member survey provides a clear picture of the challenges facing Delaware employers and helps guide our advocacy priorities. The 2025 survey was no exception, revealing a business community navigating persistent regulatory hurdles, rising operational costs, and a workforce landscape in transition.

The 2024 survey revealed that government mandates and regulations, education, quality of workforce, and the cost of doing business were the top four issues facing Delaware businesses. In 2025, those same issues remained top-of-mind, though their ranking shifted slightly. Government mandates and regulations once again led the list, followed by the cost of doing business, education, and quality of workforce. This consistent emphasis on regulatory challenges prompted us to take a deeper look at the permitting and regulatory landscape in Delaware.

MODERNIZING REGULATION AND PERMITTING Our members identified the state-level permitting process as the most cumbersome and signaled that modernization efforts must focus first on improving efficiency and predictability. Members shared that building policies and environmental regulations are their biggest pain points, but with 103,543 restrictions and 6.7 million words in the Delaware Administrative Code, it’s not specific permits that are the problem — it’s the process as a whole. When asked what changes would best improve permitting in Delaware, two themes rose to the top: streamlining processes and reducing duplication.

The State Chamber has recently begun engaging strategic partners on a comprehensive review aimed at making the permitting process more efficient, transparent, and less cumbersome.

THE RISING COST OF DOING BUSINESS The cost of doing business climbed to the second-highest concern, prompting additional analysis. As economic forecasts project a slowdown in revenue, respondents agree that the state needs to reduce spending before considering tax increases. The DELAWARE BUSINESS

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State Chamber played a key role last year in helping to defeat adjustments to personal income taxes, offering other options such as the General Assembly asking each agency and department to trim current spending by 2%, eliminate job postings for positions that have been vacant for two or more years, and freeze hiring.

Under the newly formed Delaware State Chamber Foundation, we are conducting research on another idea that could address more than one issue. One of our priorities is to tackle affordability and the diversification of Delaware’s housing inventory to meet the demands for workforce and senior housing. At the same time, data shows school enrollments are declining due to demographic changes — a national trend — resulting in roughly 20% of our public schools operating at less than 66% capacity. The State spends approximately $270 million annually on school building maintenance. Fewer buildings in that portfolio would allow resources to be directed to remaining schools or to other priorities in the State’s budget.

The vacant buildings and surrounding land on the property could then be transformed to accommodate senior housing and centers and child care facilities. With seniors moving into new living spaces, housing is now freed up for purchase or rent and has a cascade effect through the housing market by opening 17

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Legislative Priority townhomes and apartments for others.

Additionally, as some schools are combined and buildings are vacated, the potential to create magnet high schools in each county exists where each school could connect to the priorities the state workforce development board has identified with curriculum focused on healthcare, building trades, and technology.

LOOKING AHEAD Last year, the State Chamber expanded its capacity to inform and engage both policymakers and the public through tools like the Competitiveness Bluebook, the How They Voted scorecard, and hosted a candidate forum for a special election — all designed to increase transparency, accountability, and civic engagement. We will continue to build on this progress by introducing an economic competitiveness dashboard on our website and an expanded version of the policymaker scorecard.

With 2026 being an election year, Delaware’s future hinges on leaders who understand the challenges job creators face and will champion policies that strengthen our competitiveness. An informed electorate is crucial, and our political engagement strategy centers on voter education and political action. The Delaware Employers and Employees Education Fund provides voters with

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clear information on issues and candidates, while the 1837 PAC elevates the business community’s voice by supporting candidates who stand up for employers and employees — or by helping elect new leaders who will. In a region defined by fierce competition, these efforts ensure the business community has a decisive voice in elections — protecting jobs, strengthening prosperity, and shaping a future where all Delawareans thrive.

Finally, we are also pleased to welcome Evan Park as the State Chamber’s new vice president of government relations. Evan joins us from the Meyer Administration, where he served as deputy chief of staff for legislative and intergovernmental affairs. He previously worked at the University of Delaware and Delaware Department of Transportation. Evan’s extensive experience and strategic understanding of state government will strengthen our advocacy efforts as we enter this next chapter.

As we move into a year marked by both challenges and opportunities, the Delaware State Chamber remains committed to working collaboratively with policymakers, employers, and community partners. Together, we can create a stronger, more competitive Delaware — one that empowers businesses to grow, supports workers, and enhances the quality of life for all who call our state home.

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Member

news&Notes

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

AKA Advisory

Traditional values paired with innovative ideas define AKA Advisory, a boutique accounting firm headquartered in Trolley Square with more than 25 years of experience. With deep technical expertise and a personalized approach to client needs, AKA Advisory delivers reliable accounting, consulting, and tax services.

Founded in 1998 as Albero & Albero, P.A., Michael and Frank Albero quickly established a reputation for excellence in tax planning, financial reporting, and individual and business accounting services.

In 2008, the firm shared office space with Kupferman & Associates, LLC, another Wilmington-based firm focused on provid-

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BY AMANDA SCHIMMEL

ing reliable accounting, auditing, and tax services to individuals and small businesses. After a few years of collaboration and shared values, Albero acquired Kupferman in 2010 to form Albero, Kupferman & Associates, LLC (AKA).

Along the way, AKA acquired other firms, including the most significant strategic acquisition to date, in 2015, when Renee Villano, CPA, merged her clients into AKA. “Adding Renee to our firm was an absolute game-changer, as Renee is among the most well-respected professionals in our field,” explains Mike Albero, co-founder and managing partner of the firm. “We had many young team

members, most of whom were women, who needed guidance and mentorship.

Renee exemplifies leadership and has a growth mindset, making her an ideal role model for aspiring professionals.”

In 2023, the firm rebranded as AKA Advisory, LLC, focusing on the accounting and tax needs of business owners and high net-worth families.

Today, the firm is proud to carry forward the vision of its founders, delivering clarity, insight, and value through every stage of the client’s journey.

“While our name and leadership have evolved, our core commitment remains unchanged: to provide thoughtful, proactive guidance that helps our clients

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protect and grow their wealth with confidence,” says Albero.

“We started with five employees, including myself, and have grown to nearly 50 through organic growth and strategic acquisition. We believe our strength lies not only in what we do, but how we do it.”

AKA Advisory emphasizes consistent, meaningful touchpoints with clients throughout the year, recognizing that strong relationships are built through ongoing engagement.

Every employee works directly with clients, ensuring they feel supported by a dedicated team rather than a single advisor.

“Some of the very first clients I worked with when I moved to Delaware are still our clients today,” recalls Villano. “We’re proactive, but more importantly, we’re responsive. When clients call, we call them right back. We have a philosophy of supporting one another and, above all, supporting our clients.”

By investing in strategic development and mentorship programs, the firm has cultivated a culture of retention, professional development, and shared ownership. Every employee is paired with a supervisor who actively supports growth, discussing progress, goals, challenges, and feedback. “We meet staff where they are, providing the tools they need to succeed while ensuring they feel welcomed and fully acclimated. We give them a strong runway to grow into the professionals they aspire to become,” Albero adds.

Similarly, AKA Advisory’s internship program focuses on providing hands-on experience in client communication, tax preparation, and collaboration. “Interns are treated as part of the team from day one. We take a holistic approach to development, valuing each individual’s background, interests, and goals, and working to ensure everyone feels welcomed and supported as they grow,” Villano says.

After renovating its headquarters and acquiring the neighboring property, AKA Advisory is preparing for its next chapter of intentional, people-centered growth. With a strong pipeline of new clients and a five-year goal to double the size of the firm, the team remains focused on serving clients, contributing to the community, mentoring future professionals, and setting a standard for excellence in the field.

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What science can do is a celebration of our shared curiosity about the limitless possibilities of science.

In short, all of us at AstraZeneca are here for good reason. Because we believe that when we work together, we can help transform lives and create a healthier planet.

And whatʼs more powerful than that?

Change lives. Thatʼs what our science can do.

Through cutting edge research and technologies, AstraZeneca is focused on drug discovery, development, and life-cycle management. Our innovation is improving public health and changing lives, with a commitment to launching at least 20 new breakthrough medicines by 2030.

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Member

news&Notes NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT:

Impact Life

For Impact Life, recovery doesn’t just mean getting sober, it means getting a second chance. Operating across all three counties, the organization provides a truly statewide network of support for individuals seeking recovery and stability. From recovery community centers and residential programs to a Seaford farm dedicated to ag-based therapy and healing, Impact Life is reshaping how communities view and support people in recovery. Nearly 90% of the staff have lived similar journeys, a living testament to the truth that recovery works.

“Our founder and CEO, Domenica Personti, envisioned an organization that removes barriers and increases access to real help for people struggling with addiction,” says Brian Dietz, chief operations and compliance officer, who joined the organization three years ago after starting as a consultant.

Impact Life serves individuals facing a wide variety of challenges including substance-use disorders, mental health struggles, domestic abuse, homelessness, reentry after incarceration, and workforce development. With more than a dozen programs, including peer support services, overdose-prevention initiatives, the Building Communities of Recovery program, and more, the organization is creating recovery community.

Their Recovery Café in Wilmington provides a safe gathering space and offers classes in creative arts, job-skills training, life-skills development, and healthy living.

Other offered programs include recovery hubs in Georgetown and Seaford, along with a resource center in Glasgow in partnership with Attack Addiction. Impact Life also runs community-based mobile services,

BY HANNAH PALIATH

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Photo by Hannah Paliath such as Hep C and HIV testing and an overdose-prevention team that conducts street outreach and Narcan trainings.

According to Dietz, the organization will soon add two new recovery residences, bringing its total to 18 serving men, women, and “mommy and me” units for mothers and their children. Impact Life currently manages two residential programs: one on a farm in Seaford and the men’s residence in Harbeson near Lewes. After completing treatment recommendations, residents are able to obtain employment and start contributing a modest $30 weekly household fee, a notable contrast to other programs that require substantial payments upfront.

Impact Life is committed to expanding its already widespread network of services to make them accessible to as many people as possible. The organization is planning to add another Recovery Café in Newark near the University of Delaware campus and is also working on opening a social prescribing office in Newark.

“Social prescribing links people to the nonmedical supports that impact health, such as housing, healthy food access, peer support, and wellness activities,”

Dietz explains. Instead of focusing solely on medication, the office will emphasize lifestyle-based support, such as connecting individuals with activities like yoga to promote overall well-being.

The organization also helps workplaces become recovery-friendly by offering training on second-chance policies, ensuring employees who leave for treatment have a job to return to, offering nonalcoholic options at events, and celebrating recovery milestones. These trainings are offered at no cost to any Delaware business.

“Almost every program we offer is available for free to any business or community in Delaware,” Dietz says. He notes that many HR departments “know very little about what to do when someone has a substance-abuse issue,” underscoring the importance of this work.

Looking forward, Impact Life remains committed to filling gaps, breaking down barriers, reducing stigma, and ensuring that anyone seeking a second chance has access to the resources they need to reclaim their lives. Through its wide network of programs, dedicated staff, and unwavering mission, Impact Life continues to strengthen Delaware’s recovery community and redefine what true support looks like.

Hannah Paliath interned for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

She is set to graduate from the University of Delaware in May 2026 with a double major in media communication and Chinese.

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Corteva Reaffirms their Commitment to Delaware Corteva, a global agriculture technology company, will continue to chart its future in Delaware, choosing to keep one of its corporate offices in the state and moving to a downtown location in the City of Wilmington.

With the company’s Chestnut Run Plaza lease expiring at the end of 2025, Corteva launched a regional site search for new Class A office space for its Delaware team. In partnership with the Governor’s Office and the Mayor’s Office, Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) and Corteva began discussions in the spring of 2025 to work toward a common goal: retaining the company’s presence in Delaware and the 200-plus jobs that are important to the state’s sustained tax revenue and economic stability.

Corteva is an agriculture technology company that combines innovation, high-touch customer engagement, and operational excellence. It works alongside farmers to help solve some of the world’s toughest challenges.

The Corteva brand was introduced as the agriculture division of DowDuPont in 2018. In 2019, Corteva spun out of DowDuPont to become a standalone company with two segments: Seed and Crop Protection. The company moved its headquarters to Indianapolis, Ind., in 2022 but maintained an office for key corporate and business functions and the more than 200 employees who support them at Chestnut Run Plaza, just outside Wilmington.

In 2025, after reviewing numerous locations in northern Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania, the company selected space inside the 19-story 1000 North West building —

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built as the Brandywine Building in 1970 and owned and managed today

by Buccini Pollin Group (BPG) — for its move. Corteva’s decision to locate in downtown Wilmington follows last year’s decision by fellow global company Incyte to do likewise, which together will bring more than 1,000 additional workers to businesses in the city’s center.

“As major employers like Corteva and Incyte center operations here in the city, it’s clear that Wilmington is a place where business and innovation can thrive,” said Mayor John Carney.

“Corteva is an important component of Delaware’s economy and workforce.

We’re proud to welcome them to our downtown community, and we’re committed to building on the momentum taking shape across the city.”

In October 2025, DPP supported the company’s application to the state Council on Development Finance (CDF) for a Retention Performance Award Grant of $500,000 and a Delaware Goods and Services Grant of $500,000. Distribution of these grant monies is dependent on the company meeting commitments outlined to the CDF, which reviewed and recommended approval of Corteva’s request for up to $1 million in total funding.

“We’re pleased to continue our footprint in Delaware, where we and our heritage companies have enjoyed more than 200 years of partnership,” said Cornel Fuerer, senior vice president and strategic advisor for Corteva. “Corteva is an important company in an indispensable industry, and we are proud to say that the state of Delaware will be an important partner in our shared, bright future.”

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news&Notes

Pictured from left: Matt Gilman, Martha S. Gilman, Charles S. McDowell, Michael J. Quaranta, and Brett Gilman Smith. Photo by Dick Dubroff / Final Focus Photography

Charles S. McDowell Honored with Gilman Bowl At the 27th Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business awards luncheon, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce surprised Charles S. McDowell, a retired Potter Anderson partner and current board member for REACH Riverside Development Corporation and EastSide Charter School, with the esteemed Marvin S. Gilman Bowl.

“Charlie personifies the essence of my father’s legacy,” said Martha S. Gilman. “He has always been known

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for his leadership and service in a multitude of organizations throughout the community and quietly continues to make things happen in the most meaningful ways.”

Established in honor of Marvin S. Gilman — a model of small business excellence and community leadership in Delaware — the Gilman Bowl recognizes outstanding small business leadership.

The recipient’s name remains a closely held secret until the moment of the award’s presentation.

“My grandfather would be so proud to know Charlie won the Gilman Bowl,” said Brett Gilman Smith, Marvin S. Gilman’s grandson. “They share the same gift for connecting people, making meaningful and lasting impacts in all aspects of the Delaware community, and continuing to do so with humility.”

McDowell has spent his career and retirement advancing equity, education, and community revitalization across Delaware. During his time at Potter Anderson, McDowell led the firm’s

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Public Finance section, representing governmental, quasigovernmental, and nonprofit entities on tax-exempt financing and major public projects. Under his leadership, the firm served as bond or underwriter’s counsel for the State of Delaware, all state bond-issuing authorities, all three counties, and every major municipality.

A lifelong advocate for education and social justice, McDowell’s work in Wilmington’s Riverside neighborhood stands as a defining legacy. After joining the board of EastSide Charter School and later serving as its chair, he witnessed firsthand the systemic barriers facing students and families in under-resourced communities. Seeking broader, lasting solutions, he helped launch the REACH Riverside Development Corporation in 2017 and led the board as chair for many years. He continues to serve as a board member today.

Under his leadership, REACH and its partners have raised more than $240 million in capital and operational funding since 2018, including a $50 million HUD Choice Neighborhood Implementation grant. The organization’s holistic revitalization strategy has already transformed the community: Imani Village has completed 141 mixed-income homes, EastSide Charter School is building a $25 million STEM Center, and The Teen Warehouse now serves more than 200 youth each year with workforce and enrichment programs. Over the next decade, plans call for more than 500 homes, a new Kingswood Community Center, and comprehensive programs to support health, wellness, and economic mobility.

In the past, he has served on the Delaware State University (DSU) board and was a founding member of the Early College School at DSU. He has also served on the Boards of Zip Code Wilmington, the Delaware Bar Foundation, and Delaware State Bar Insurance Services, Inc., where he was a founding director and president. He is also a former director of WHYY, Inc., Delaware Theater Company, Delaware Curative Workshop, and New Castle County Economic Development Corporation.

“Charlie has been a leader in Delaware law for decades, and he hasn’t slowed down in retirement,” said Michael J. Quaranta, president of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. “Through his work with REACH Riverside and EastSide Charter School, he’s creating real opportunities for students, families, small businesses, and the entire Riverside community. That kind of dedication and impact is exactly what the Gilman Bowl is meant to recognize.”

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news&Notes A Trio of Fresh Talent ›› As the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce continues to expand its work and strengthen its impact across the state, we’re excited to welcome three new team members who are already making meaningful contributions to our programs, research, and member support. Meet our newest colleagues Tori Will, Dae’Shawn Nixon, and Evan Park — each bringing their own expertise, perspectives, and enthusiasm to the State Chamber team.

Tori Will joined the State Chamber at the end of October as our new administrative and member support manager. Born and raised in North Wilmington, she brings deep Delaware roots and a strong interest in supporting the people and processes that help our organization run smoothly. In this role, she assists with member relations, financial operations, and a variety of administrative needs across the State Chamber.

For Tori, the position is an opportunity to give back to the state that shaped her. “I come from a family of lifelong Delawareans, so I’m really excited to be part of something that makes a difference in my state,” she said. After several years working in health care, she sees this transition as a rewarding way to grow professionally while contributing to a mission she believes in.

“This job feels like an exciting new direction for me, and I’m looking forward to learning and growing with the team.”

Tori brings a calm, grounded perspective to her work, guided by her favorite mantra: “This too shall pass.” Outside the office, she enjoys the things that make Delaware feel like home, especially the

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changing seasons (spring is her favorite), proximity to the beach, and local spots with personal meaning. One of those is Mazzella’s in Claymont, where her sister worked for years. “I highly recommend the penne alla vodka,” she adds.

Dae’Shawn Nixon joined the Delaware State Chamber team in early November as director of the Delaware State Chamber Foundation, bringing experience in research, policy, and crosssector collaboration. In this role, he leads the Foundation’s efforts to produce datadriven insights that support Delaware’s economic future and inform strategies to strengthen opportunity across the state.

Originally from Salt Lake City and later Las Vegas, Dae’Shawn moved to the East Coast to attend Temple University and has since made Delaware home.

For Dae’Shawn, the Foundation offers a meaningful space to connect research with impact. “The Foundation sits at a unique intersection of business, policy, and community, and that’s where I’ve always felt most energized,” he said. His goal is to ensure that the Foundation’s work not only measures Delaware’s competitiveness but also guides solutions that expand opportunity statewide.

Having spent time in foster care, including periods of housing instability, Dae’Shawn has a strong understanding of how systems shape people’s lives. “Opportunity isn’t just about access,” he reflects. “It’s about design, accountability, and the courage to imagine something better.” That perspective informs how he approaches long-term planning, relationship-building, and the research

priorities for the Foundation.

Outside of work, Dae’Shawn is an avid reader who enjoys building his personal library, catching a live sports game, or listening to thoughtful audio — from Philosophize This! to a good film score.

Evan Park joined the State Chamber in mid-December as vice president of government relations, bringing a career shaped by policy work in both the public and private sectors — and a lifelong connection to Delaware. A Wilmington native and University of Delaware graduate who spent his first 30 years upstate before moving to Kent County, Evan has always known the First State would be home.

In his role, Evan leads the State Chamber’s advocacy efforts, working closely with business leaders, policymakers, and partners to address the issues that matter most to Delaware’s employers. “I’m excited to join a team that has a history of leadership in addressing the needs of Delaware,” he said.

Evan was drawn to government and policy early in his career because he wanted to do work that had meaning behind it, and that hasn’t changed. “I enjoy doing work that I believe is important and ultimately makes Delaware a better place,” he said.

His personal mantra, “Keep the main thing the main thing,” reflects the focus and clarity he brings to his new role.

Outside of work, Evan enjoys spending time at the Delaware beaches during the summer (traffic included!) and has cultivated an unexpected passion for plants.

He enjoys collecting and caring for new varieties and sees it as a relaxing counterbalance to his day-to-day work.

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A Lasting Legacy Remembering Mike Castle

BY REGINA DONATO | PHOTO BY DICK DUBROFF / FINAL FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY

FEW LEADERS HAVE SHAPED Delaware’s business and political landscape as much as former Governor and Congressman Mike Castle. A statesman known for his integrity and steady leadership, Castle guided the First State through key decades of growth and change. His legacy lives on in the policies and projects he helped create and in the civility, pragmatism, and dedication to public service that defined his career.

Castle’s career in public service began in the Delaware House of Representatives in 1966. Two years later, he moved to the State Senate, where he served for eight years and became minority leader in his final term. From there, he went on to serve as lieutenant governor, two-term governor, and Delaware’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 18 years. Throughout, his leadership was marked by a deep respect for collaboration and compromise, qualities that earned him admiration across party lines and within Delaware’s business community.

As governor, Castle helped strengthen Delaware’s economy and set the

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stage for future growth. He protected reforms that made the state a national leader in banking and corporate law and created the Transportation Trust Fund, which still supports major road projects today. He understood how smart policy and a healthy business climate go hand in hand.

Castle brought that same thoughtful, business-minded approach to Washington. He built a reputation for fiscal discipline, good judgment, and bipartisanship — focusing on issues such as innovation and education, where he played a major role in President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind initiative.

At the 174th Annual Dinner in 2011, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce honored Castle with its highest honor, the Josiah Marvel Cup. Given each year to a Delawarean who has made outstanding contributions to the state, the award recognized Castle’s lifelong commitment to making Delaware a better place to live and work.

Michael J. Quaranta, president of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and Castle’s former chief of staff from 2003 until

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his retirement in 2010, remembers him as both principled and practical. “The Congressman understood how good governance and a healthy economy go hand in hand. His time as governor gave him a pragmatic perspective in Congress that most lawmakers didn’t have,” reflected Quaranta. “He had a straightforward, getit-done approach, and he always made sure to listen to business leaders while figuring out the right balance between fiscal responsibility and serving Delawareans.”

That approach — deliberate and rooted in doing what was right — earned Castle respect not just as a political leader, but as a mentor and example to those who followed. His mark can still be seen today, from Delaware Route 1 to the Michael N. Castle Trail along the C&D Canal.

Mike Castle’s passing marks the loss of a true Delaware leader and a longtime friend of Delaware’s business community. His legacy reminds us that leadership is about service, character, and doing what’s best for our state. n

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CHAMBER

SCENE 2025: A YEAR IN PHOTOS

1. Rod Ward, president and CEO of CSC, delivered the 188th Annual Dinner keynote, emphasizing the importance of Delaware’s unique corporation laws.* 2. In a surprise announcement, the Honorable Nancy W. Cook was awarded with the esteemed Dick DiSabatino Award.* 3. The Honorable Thomas R. Carper was awarded the Josiah Marvel Cup at the Annual Dinner.*

2.

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4. Dover Federal Credit Union (left) and Chesapeake Utilities (right) were honored with the Warrior Friendly Business Award at The State of the Guard.

3.

5. The second annual Coolest Thing Made in Delaware award was given to Agilent Technologies’ Resolve handheld Raman spectrometer.

6. The Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference featured remarks from Gus Faucher, senior vice president and chief economist of PNC Financial Services Group.

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7. The Delaware Young Professionals Network (DYPN) hosted a panel discussion navigating work and wealth management.

8. The Delaware State Chamber hosted a networking breakfast at Delaware Tech’s brand-new Allied Health Center of Excellence, which is addressing the growing need for skilled healthcare workers.

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7.

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1. Superstars in Education & Training awards were given to MOT Charter School, Delaware Technical Community College, Pathways to Success, and M. Davis and Sons, the first winner in our new Corporate Training category (top to bottom).

2. Valerie A. Woodruff was named

1.

2. the recipient of the John H. Taylor, Jr. Education Leadership Award. Her children accepted the award on her behalf.

3. The Navigating Delaware Pathways Summit at Bally’s Dover Casino featured a keynote from Kyle Hartung, associate vice president of Jobs for the Future.

3.

4. State Chamber members traveled to Legislative Hall for Small Business Day in Dover, which featured scheduled visits with attendees’ legislators.

5. Young professionals and their mentors hit the links at the 13th Annual DYPN Golf Outing in May. 6. Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokola (left) and Speaker of the House Melissa Minor-Brown (right) provided a legislative wrapup and shared priorities at the Endof-Session Policy Conference.

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7. Agilent Technologies hosted DSCC’s June networking breakfast and provided a behind-the-scenes look at one of Delaware’s most innovative manufacturers. manufacturers

6.

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9.

7.

8.

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1. Intern Delaware participants attended 19 events with more than 40 speakers over the summer.

Programming included visiting Legislative Hall and touring Delaware’s bioscience hub.

2. Home to an engaging array of animals— from red pandas and Andean condors to lemurs — The Brandywine Zoo hosted an August networking breakfast.

1.

2.

3. DSCC’s Mike Quaranta and Kelly Basile toured Veolia’s Stanton Water Treatment Plant, one of the largest PFAS treatment systems in the U.S. 4. The evening before the Chamber Chase Golf Tournament, Thomson Island Brewing Company hosted an evening mixer.

5. Tamara Stoner from Delaware State University and Ted Lauzen from Grey Fox Wealth Advisors stopped by to record an episode of Delaware Deep Dive.

6. The 32nd Annual Chamber Chase Golf Tournament took place at Kings Creek Country Club in September.

4.

7. Delaware Athletics hosted a September Networking Breakfast, celebrating their entrance into FBS Football and Conference USA. Photo by Hannah Paliath.

8. The Developing Delaware conference covered permitting reform, a site selection analysis from keynote Ron Starner, and county and project updates during our lightning round presentations.

3.

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6.

7.

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8.

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1.

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3.

4.

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8.

SUPERSTARS IN BUSINESS WINNERS:

9.

1. 1-9 EMPLOYEES: Grey Fox Wealth Advisors* 2. 10-49 EMPLOYEES: JLAM* 3. 50-150 EMPLOYEES: Boulden Brothers* 4. NONPROFIT: Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County* AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS: 5. 1-9 EMPLOYEES: Synergy Consultants*

10.

6. 10-49 EMPLOYEES: AKA Advisory* 7. 50-150 EMPLOYEES: GGA Construction* 8. NONPROFIT: OperaDelaware* 9. Charles S. McDowell, a retired Potter Anderson partner and current board member for REACH Riverside Development Corporation and EastSide Charter School, was surprised with the Marvin S. Gilman Bowl. Photo by Hannah Paliath.

11.

13.

12.

10. Robert L. Siegfried, Jr., CPA, CEO & Founder of The Siegfried Group, delivered the keynote address at the 27th Annual Superstars in Business Awards Luncheon.* 11. The third annual DYPN “YPs vs. OGs” kickball game took place in October.

12. Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County hosted the final networking breakfast of the year.

13. Honorary host U.S. Senator Chris Coons helped showcase Delaware’s culture and hospitality sector at the annual Taste of Delaware. *Photo by Dick Dubroff / Final Focus

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Cover Story

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Interest Earned

Rooted in Delaware for nearly two centuries, WSFS has flourished

BY ANDREW SHARP

MANY BANKS HAVE WEATHERED their share of financial storms and historic events. But very few are still around and can say they have been through the American Civil War, the railroad panic of 1873, the Great Depression, and all the boom-andbust times since.

WSFS Financial Corporation can. Founded in 1832 as the Wilmington Savings Fund Society, it has endured for nearly two centuries, building a reputation as Delaware’s homegrown bank and expanding into a full-service financial services provider.

“The brand is extraordinarily well-known,” says Rodger Levenson, chairman, president, and CEO, who has been at the helm since 2019. “People tell us, ‘I had my first passbook at WSFS,’ or ‘My family had a loan at WSFS.’ There’s just incredible trust that comes from being around and supporting families and businesses for generations.”

The company, whose name is often affectionately pronounced “wiss-fiss,” was one of a number of member-owned mutual savings banks that emerged in the 19th century to help serve a growing American economy. It became a publicly traded company in 1986 and then was almost immediately plunged into a nationwide savings and loan crisis. Out of that formative experience, WSFS stabilized and then began to steadily grow.

In the early 2000s, WSFS had about 20 branches and $2 billion in assets. It has since grown to more than $20 billion in assets, with 114 offices located mostly in Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Eighty-eight of those are bank branches, with 38 in Delaware alone, including the company’s headquarters in Wilmington. In recent years, the company has also expanded its

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wealth management services dramatically, most notably with the acquisition of the venerable Bryn Mawr Trust.

“We’re very proud of our history,” says Lisa Brubaker, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. “Not many companies are nearly 200 years old, particularly in financial services. And at the same time, we’ve always had an entrepreneurial or innovative streak that has enabled us to take advantage of opportunities.”

That long tenure in Wilmington is one of several key advantages that WSFS has built on for its success. Put simply, it has a track record. People have seen that it can thrive despite challenges, most recently tough times like the Great Recession, the COVID19 pandemic, or the Silicon Valley Bank failure that rocked the industry in 2023.

“You go through those times, challenging as they are, and they really become validating to that business model, because people see that in a time where there was a lot of uncertainty, they were able to get support from their bank,” Levenson says.

Brubaker is moved by the way clients have stood by the bank.

“People were rooting for us to survive and do well,” she recalls. “I think clients appreciated the fact that we knew them, that they knew us, and that we lived in the community. It felt like we were interested in them as people, not just as clients, and I think that showed up in loyalty.”

Bank leaders see this regional rootedness as another major strength. On paper, many banks and financial services are based in Delaware because of its positive business climate. But that doesn’t mean their strategy or interests are anchored here.

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Cover Story

“We all live here. Most of us have raised our families here. This is all we focus on, and I think that’s a big differentiator. The stability that comes with that, and that predictability, even as we’ve grown, means a lot to people.” — Rodger Levenson At WSFS, “We all live here. Most of us have raised our families here.

This is all we focus on, and I think that’s a big differentiator,” Levenson says. People know the company is not going to be driven by whims from some faraway corporate center, he adds. “The stability that comes with that, and that predictability, even as we’ve grown, means a lot to people.”

This is an ideal place to put down those roots. Delaware’s small size pairs well with a bank that is growing and thriving, but still small enough to maintain a strong connection with clients. The mid-Atlantic region more broadly also offers strong opportunities.

The WSFS team is grateful for the support they feel from city and state officials, who make themselves available to address needs. “It’s a perfect market for a community bank, because we’re a smaller community, we’re diverse, we’re robust, and we have a great economy,” Levenson says.

The company doesn’t just bank on its longstanding reputation in the community, though. It also strongly emphasizes people, both clients and associates.

Brubaker was drawn into this career almost accidentally. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in biology, and started 40

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working at WSFS while she figured out what she wanted to do with her life.

But she discovered she was already in the right place, finding opportunity after opportunity to grow and take on new responsibilities. And she liked the bank’s culture, expressed using the letters of its name: We Stand For Service.

“Our culture is deeply rooted in service, service to our own associates, our clients, and the communities we serve. We believe that when we prioritize the well-being and growth of our associates, they, in turn, deliver exceptional care and solutions to our clients and partners,” she reflects.

That ingrained culture of service is reflected in the company’s philanthropic activities, which last year alone invested over $3 million into various causes, according to Vernita Dorsey, senior vice president and director of community strategy. Their philosophy is to focus on fundamental human needs like affordable housing, food security, workforce development, and financial education. Each year, careful community assessments sharpen the focus of this mission.

The corporation doesn’t just invest cash, but time as well. The company provides each associate with four hours of paid time each month to volunteer, and a significant portion of the team participates, going well Jan uar y / Feb r uar y 2026

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beyond the minimum to pile up hours of service. As 2025 came to a close, associates were nearing 36,000 hours of volunteering for more than 900 different community organizations chosen by associates.

The community can tell that WSFS wants to see the community prosper and thrive, Dorsey says. “The mindset is that we’re not just asking people for their business, we are committed to serving and reinvesting in our communities.” Dorsey also hears from associates about their positive volunteering experiences, and finds it fulfilling to see that tangible impact.

Beyond a connection with the community, Brubaker identifies an openness to new ideas as a strength at WSFS. Significant acquisitions have infused new thinking and new energy into the organization, helping avoid the trap of relying on how things have always been done.

“We’ve taken some of those opportunities to test things out, to see if they’re right for us and for our clients. And when they worked, they really paid off for us by diversifying our business model, and by giving clients products and services that they previously had to go to bigger

banks to get,” Brubaker says.

With Delaware’s reputation as a great place to locate and provide trust administration services, diversifying into that area also made sense, Levenson says. Wealth management was another target for growth, both to expand the suite of services WSFS is able to offer, and to increase stability by investing in a sector less affected by the ebbs and flows of interest rate policy. The acquisition of Bryn Mawr Trust in 2022 turbocharged this wealth management capability, bringing in a prominent name with many clients in the Philadelphia region.

Moves like these have left the company in a strong position, Levenson says, ready to take advantage of new opportunities. “We’re always looking to invest in the business and grow. We think we have a very long runway to continue to grow organically.”

As it grows, though, WSFS is standing on the strengths that have sustained it in Wilmington since 1832. Its history of being independent, and its intention to stay independent for the long term, continues to build confidence in both clients and associates. n

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THANK YOU TO OUR 189TH ANNUAL DINNER SPONSORS Presenting

Reception

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THANK YOU TO OUR 189TH ANNUAL DINNER SPONSORS Leadership

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Cornell Property Management DE Cadillac, DE Subaru & Kia of Wilmington Delaware City Refining Company Delaware Electric Cooperative Diamond Technologies, Inc. Easterseals DE & MD’s Eastern Shore Gunnip & Company Horizon Farm Credit milliCare Floor & Textile Care Montrose Environmental Solutions, Inc.

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Delaware’s Competitive Landscape

The Need for Action

Navigating America’s economic rapids with foresight, focus, and leadership BY TED ABERNATHY THE RAPIDS are the fast-flowing, turbulent, and unpredictable part of a river journey. Entering 2026, states and communities across the country are trying to navigate our current economic rapids. The past year was marked by national policy uncertainty and change, mixed economic results, brisk technological advancements, and interspersed with those challenges, emerging opportunities.

Much can be written about 2025, but signs of normalcy were hard to find. Unprecedented shifts in federal trade policies, immigration, and research funding will ripple through the U.S. and world economy for years. At the same time, tax cuts, regulatory easing, and reshoring were welcomed by many. Taken together, these forces created a year defined by uneven momentum.

Nationally, unemployment has remained low, the stock market high, and GDP growth reasonable. Retail sales were better than predicted, even with continued inflation. Despite several rate cuts, housing markets have remained disappointing for most regions. Job growth slowed throughout the year, and layoffs accelerated in recent months, contributing to today’s low consumer sentiment.

Against this national backdrop of uncertainty and uneven performance, Delaware experienced modest population and labor force growth, but earnings and labor force participation remained lower than those of neighboring states. Unemployment remains low but has begun to creep up.

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Most concerning, the state has experienced very slow growth in technology and advanced industry jobs.

Given these trends, no one expects the pace of change to slow.

Successfully navigating 2026 and beyond will challenge the state’s leaders to exercise foresight and take bold action to improve economic competitiveness. To sustain an economy that provides good jobs, raises the standard of living and quality of life, and retains and attracts businesses, we need to focus on the five key components of competitiveness.

First, a strong business climate depends on clear and competitive tax policies, a stable and responsive regulatory environment, and legal predictability. For advanced and emerging technology companies, a regulatory framework that supports innovation and encourages automation is essential. These factors directly influence business costs and decision-making, especially in industries where speed, certainty, and adaptability are critical.

Second, workforce dynamics — including in-migration, educational attainment, productivity, skills availability, and overall quality of life — are central to success. Employers increasingly base location decisions on their ability to find, attract, and retain talent, making both affordability and quality of life critical.

Third, infrastructure — including transportation with mobility options, high-speed broadband connectivity, power supply, diverse housing options, healthcare quality, and childcare — forms the foundation for Jan uar y / Feb r uar y 2026

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future economic growth. Power supply and reliability have emerged as essential prerequisites for success in data centers, AI, and other emerging technologies. Business decision-makers look for locations with reliable, affordable utilities; adequate water and wastewater capacity; and readytoday buildings and sites.

Fourth, innovation capacity is reflected in a state’s strengths in research and development, companies’ ability to automate, the presence of advanced and growing industries, and robust entrepreneurial ecosystems. Growth in advanced industries fuels long-term competitiveness and drives economic transformation.

Finally, risk has become an increasingly important consideration in the post-pandemic era. Factors such as weather, crime rates, and the fiscal health of states and local governments have become key components of site-selection decisions.

These dynamics are reflected in Delaware’s competitive rankings. The Tax Foundation ranks the state 24th overall but last for corporate taxes and 43rd for individual income tax. Delaware is ranked second for sales and property taxes. In the 2025 CNBC rankings, the state scores among the nation’s worst in business friendliness and in best states to start a business but performs strongly in fiscal stability. Many other rankings place Delaware in the middle.

With other states continuously improving, complacency will not be a successful strategy. Action is needed to achieve better results.

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Amid these competitiveness challenges, a new force accelerated rapidly in 2025: artificial intelligence. AI will lead to greater productivity, accelerated product development, and significant occupational and industry disruptions. Economic uncertainty and technological change together are contributing to the rapids we are all trying to navigate today. When asked how best to navigate rapids, AI offered several suggestions that also provide a path for Delaware leaders to improve the state’s competitive position: Scout the river first and learn to read the water: Delaware leaders should create a system to monitor key performance indicators, anticipate political and economic shifts, and identify emerging opportunities.

Plan your line early: Business leaders should work with the state’s elected officials to create a strategic agenda that addresses regulatory burdens, the lack of growth in advanced industries, and the overall cost of doing business.

Leadership and communication: For anyone who has navigated whitewater, clear direction and the effort of everyone on the boat are critical. Converting competitiveness ideas and plans into action requires the alignment and engagement of Delaware stakeholders, resources that match expectations, and a sustained effort over time.

2026 should be the year for Delaware’s leaders to commit to improving the state’s weaknesses and to invest strategically in its emerging opportunities. n

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Delaware’s Competitive Landscape

Ballots and Bottom Lines

Electing the leaders who will grow Delaware’s economy BY ROBERT W. PERKINS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, Delaware will either land or lose major employers, housing investments, and innovation projects that will shape our economy for a generation. Whether we win or lose those opportunities depends heavily on who we elect and how seriously they take economic development.

For these reasons, it is essential that voters elect public officials who understand and prioritize economic development. This responsibility applies across every level of government: state, county, and city. Each sector plays a distinct and vital role in shaping a healthy business climate and a competitive workforce.

At the state level, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) — a public-private partnership designed to attract and maintain jobs, talent, and investment to Delaware — works closely with elected leaders to influence the broad economic framework within which companies decide whether to locate and expand. While DPP focuses on strategic industries and marketing the state, tax policy, regulatory environments, workforcetraining investments, and infrastructure planning are all shaped by governors and state legislators.

When these officials appreciate the importance of economic development, they are more likely to champion policies that attract and retain employers, streamline permitting processes, support innovation, and invest in education and transportation systems that strengthen a state’s long-term competitiveness. If state leaders underinvest in workforce and infrastructure, no amount of local enthusiasm can overcome that gap.

County governments, too often overlooked in public discussions, also are critical partners in economic development. County officials play central roles in land-use decisions, regional transportation planning, industrialpark development, and coordination among municipalities. They also oversee key public services, such as emergency response, utilities, and local infrastructure, which directly impact the quality-of-life businesses consider when making investment decisions. Electing county leaders who value economic development ensures that local communities can respond quickly to opportunities and collaborate effectively with state agencies and private employers. If county officials slow-walk land-use decisions, projects and jobs will simply go elsewhere.

At the city level, the impact of economic development is felt most directly. If city halls make it too hard to start or expand a business, 46

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entrepreneurs will pick the next town over. City councils and mayors influence zoning decisions, downtown revitalization efforts, business licensing processes, and local tax and fee structures. They interact closely with entrepreneurs, small-business owners, and residents seeking job opportunities. Officials who recognize the role of economic development are more likely to streamline approvals, encourage redevelopment of underused properties, support local workforce initiatives, and create vibrant, attractive communities where people want to live and work. Cities with this type of leadership often become magnets for new investment and innovation.

It is imperative that Delaware elect leaders who value economic development — leaders who understand that job creation does not happen by accident. It requires thoughtful planning, collaboration across government levels, and a willingness to make decisions that promote long-term investment. Voters who prioritize these qualities help ensure their communities remain competitive, forward-looking, and able to offer meaningful opportunities to residents.

For employers and business leaders, that means asking candidates specific questions: • How will you contribute to the expansion of employment, and thus the tax base and jobs?

• How will you streamline permitting without sacrificing quality?

• What’s your plan to grow our skilled workforce?

• How will you make Delaware more competitive with neighboring states for new investment?

In every election cycle, Delawareans have a choice: elect leaders who see economic development as the engine that funds schools, public safety, and quality of life, or leaders who treat it as an afterthought. For employers and community members alike, the most powerful thing you can do is ask every candidate, at every level: “What is your plan to grow jobs and investment in my community, and how will I measure your progress?” n

Robert W. Perkins is the executive director of the Delaware Business Roundtable.

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Delaware’s Competitive Landscape

Strengthening Our Workforce for the Future Strategic investments in talent, data, and partnerships are positioning Delaware as a leader in workforce innovation

BY JOANNA BARNEKOV-STAIB

DELAWARE’S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE has always been its ability to act quickly, collaborate deeply, and stay focused on people. As employers across the country continue to navigate a changing labor market, Delaware stands out for its nimble approach to talent development and the close alignment between business, education, and government.

At the Delaware Workforce Development Board (DWDB) and the Department of Labor (DOL), we’ve seen firsthand how partnerships and data-driven decision-making can strengthen our workforce and help employers compete. The results are clear: Delaware is building systems that connect talent to opportunity, ensuring young people see our state as a place to live, work, and grow.

In today’s economy, workforce is a deciding factor for site selection.

According to Site Selection magazine’s 2025 Reader Survey, corporate decision-makers rank the availability of skilled labor as the fourth most important factor when choosing where to locate or expand, and workforce development programs as eighth. That data underscores what we already know: talent is at the center of competitiveness.

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commitment to strengthening our talent competitiveness. By expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities for Delawareans, particularly within state government employment, Delaware continues to invest in our residents. This initiative recognizes that the State must lead by example in building a strong, inclusive workforce pipeline. By opening more pathways into public service careers, Delaware is creating models that can be replicated across sectors and ensuring residents have access to meaningful, skilled employment close to home.

While Delaware ranks 41st in overall business climate, our ability to cultivate, attract, and retain talent is positioning us to climb higher. In fact, Delaware’s population of adults aged 25 to 44, the prime workingage group, has grown by nearly 14,000 people in recent years, signaling confidence in our state’s opportunity and quality of life.

One of the most transformative efforts underway is Delaware’s $2 million-plus Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) grant. This investment is modernizing how we collect, share, and analyze data across workforce, education, and social service systems, laying the foundation for a statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS). By connecting long-term outcomes, Delaware will be able to track the full journey of individuals Jan uar y / Feb r uar y 2026

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through education, training, and employment, helping decision makers and partners make smarter, evidence-based investments that strengthen our talent pipeline and support economic mobility.

For employers, that means a clearer view of the talent pipeline, where skills are being developed, and where gaps remain. For job seekers and students, it means a more connected system that supports lifelong learning and career mobility.

This modernization is essential to maintaining Delaware’s competitiveness. A data-informed system ensures every dollar invested in workforce programs delivers measurable impact and allows businesses to make decisions with confidence.

In addition to the SLDS, Delaware’s Pathways system is one of the best in the nation, serving as a model for how states can connect education and employment. What began in 2014 with one pathway in one high school now includes every high school in the state, with more than 30,000 students enrolled. Delaware has also expanded beyond secondary education into postsecondary and adult learning, creating a seamless pipeline that links classroom learning with real-world experience.

Through Delaware Pathways, students can earn industry-recognized credentials, gain hands-on training, and enter college or career programs prepared for success. Employers benefit from a steady stream of skilled,

motivated talent, and students benefit from clear, supported transitions into high-demand fields. This system reflects what Delaware does best: build collaboration among education, business, and government to ensure the workforce system meets the needs of both learners and employers.

Looking ahead, Delaware’s competitiveness will depend on our ability to adapt. As technology reshapes the labor market, our focus will remain on agility, inclusion, and opportunity.

The DWDB and DOL are focused on helping Delawareans gain the skills and experience needed to thrive in high-demand industries like construction, skilled trades, biopharma, and healthcare — creating clear opportunities for meaningful, long-term, and family-sustaining careers.

Our state’s size and spirit of collaboration allow us to move quickly, innovate boldly, and build systems that work. As we enter 2026, we remain united in one goal: keeping Delaware’s greatest competitive advantage, its people, at the center of everything we do. n Joanna Barnekov-Staib is the statewide coordinator for Delaware’s Office of Workforce Development.

THE DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER THANKS THE 189TH ANNUAL DINNER PLANNING COMMITTEE:

Jerry Esposito, Chair Espo Enterprises

Colleen Perry Keith Goldey-Beacom College

Marcus Beal Delmarva Power

Emily Leach Silvur

April Birmingham M&T Bank

Christina MacMillan MDavis & Sons

Mike Dunmyer US Wind

Don Mell JPMorgan Chase

Tierra Fair United Way of Delaware

Gregory Miraglia PNC Bank

Jacqueline Flowers EDiS Company

Rhett Ruggerio Ruggerio, Willson & Watson

Don Fulton Weiner Benefits Group, retired

Greg Smith Chemours

Logan Herring The WRK Group

Meghan Walls Nemours Children’s Health

Mike Houghton Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell, retired

Katie Wilkinson Fulton Bank

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Delaware’s Competitive Landscape

Data Centers: The Delaware Dilemma

BY RON STARNER

DELAWARE MAY BE THE SECOND SMALLEST state in America, but a debate over a proposed $9.7 billion data center project by Starwood Digital Ventures is about to have big implications nationwide.

Speaking at the Developing Delaware Conference hosted by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 9, Anthony Balestrieri, managing director and CEO of Starwood Digital Ventures at Starwood Capital Group, laid out his company’s plans for a massive digital infrastructure campus in Delaware City, Del. — a town of 1,885 people along the Delaware River in New Castle County, a Philadelphia suburb that is Delaware’s northernmost county and its oldest, established in 1673.

Upon buildout, the 580-acre, 1.2 GW campus would have 11 buildings totaling 6 million square feet, making it one of the largest data center sites along the Eastern Seaboard. “We call it Project Washington,” Balestrieri said on stage at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover. “We’ll build the first 10 buildings over eight years. Each data center job created here generates six additional jobs to support the project. Four buildings in phase one will total 432 megawatts. Six buildings in phase two will add another 432 megawatts.”

Balestrieri noted that during and after construction, the project will entail $9.7 billion in economic output, create 3,500 construction jobs, and result

in 700 permanent full-time positions paying more than $100,000 a year on average. Altogether, the complex will pay out $2.5 billion in construction wages, create an annual payroll of $100 million onsite, contribute $75 million a year to New Castle County schools and government, and add at least $17 million each year to the county’s general fund.

He said the need for more data centers is driven by the habits of Americans.

“Each person accesses over 1,000 data centers a day just by using a smartphone,” he said. “Our project is an environmentally responsible way to meet increasing demand for digital infrastructure. Our campus will be powered 100% by renewable energy. The campus sets aside 40% of the land for open space, and there will be no disturbance of water resources. In fact, each building will use the same amount of water as a same-sized office building.”

Despite the company’s pledges, critics are lining up to oppose the project, voicing concerns about potential impacts to air, water, energy resources, and the coastal environment. Officials in New Castle County and the Delaware Legislature are holding meetings to consider new regulations for data centers. New Castle County Councilman Dave Carter proposed an ordinance that would require such projects to be built in heavy industry zones if they are approved following special project review.

If approved, the Starwood project could begin construction in the third quarter of 2026 and become operational in the second quarter of 2028.

This article is reprinted from the November 2025 issue of Site Selection magazine with the express written permission of Conway Data Inc., the Atlanta-based publisher of Site Selection. Copyright 2025. To see the full issue of Site Selection, go to www.siteselection.com.

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Delaware’s Competitive Landscape PULLING THE PLUG PICKS UP STEAM This is not an anomaly in America. From Charlottesville, Va., to St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., opponents of data centers are growing in numbers and mounting organized resistance to the rising wave of AI hyperscale server farms nationwide. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch announced recently that his chamber will take up legislation restricting data center growth, and in Georgia, five counties have enacted data center moratoriums.

According to independent research group Data Center Watch (DCW), $64 billion in U.S. data center projects have been blocked or delayed by a growing movement of local, bipartisan opposition. DCW counts 142 activist organizations mobilized across 24 states to systematically oppose and block new data centers. Virginia is by far the national leader with 42 anti-data center activist groups.

Despite these setbacks, CBRE reports that data center growth remains on pace to reach record-setting levels of new absorption this year.

According to the firm’s midyear market report, primary market supply rose by 17.6% in the first half of 2025, with 74.3% of capacity under construction already pre-leased, mainly to cloud and AI providers. Vacancy rates for data center facilities have dropped to a record low of 1.6%.

What has changed this year, however, is the sheer volume of opposition being mounted against these projects. Increasingly, developers are abandoning plans even before they face a public vote. In Louisa County, Va., Amazon Web Services dropped its plans to develop a third data center campus on July 23 after receiving critical community feedback. The project would have covered 7.2 million square feet and cost billions of dollars.

In North Carolina, the Tarboro Town Council rejected a $6.4 billion, 500job data center project on Sept. 9 after local residents raised concerns about energy consumption, noise levels, and clean-tech viability. Meanwhile, a new Texas law that took effect in June allows the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to cut power to large data centers during grid emergencies.

The law is designed to prevent the kind of sweeping blackouts that paralyzed the state during the 2021 winter blizzard that claimed hundreds of lives.

Greg LeRoy, founder and executive director of Good Jobs First, says he now advises locally elected officials to reject all AI hyperscale data center plans that come before them. He opposes them for the following reasons: • “The industry’s secrecy.”

• “The egregious upward pressure on people’s electricity bills.”

• “The runaway state revenue losses.”

• “Harm to school funding.”

• “Local corruption.”

• “Environmental justice abuses.”

• “Harm to local water supplies.”

• “Connections to ICE and surveillance capitalism.”

A scan of media coverage of data center protests nationwide shows that most critics use these same talking points when they show up at local hearings.

WHERE DOES THE INDUSTRY GO FROM HERE? Is there a viable path forward to building massive AI campuses anymore in North America? Data center proponents say there is, but it won’t be easy.

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“Battery storage is a key component in terms of the ability to mitigate against dramatic swings in different types of generation for large users,” says Gordon Dolven, research director for Americas Data Centers for CBRE. “Power means more to our industry now than ever before. It is an all-hands-on-deck approach to power generation that is needed. As we continue to move through this constrained period, we will see more solutions crop up.”

Andy Cvengros, executive managing director and co-lead of JLL’s U.S. Data Center Markets team, says a lot of misnomers surround data centers and the industry has done “a terrible job” educating people. That said, “People don’t want their power rates to increase. And with electricity rates doubling in some areas, that is a very valid concern.”

Cvengros asks, “What is worse — a warehouse that brings in a ton of trucks, or a data center? You don’t need to add schools, hospitals, and other services when you bring in a new data center — and I don’t see the demand for data centers slowing down. If anything, it is getting bigger and more centralized.”

The key, he says, is to get zoning approval quickly. “Zoning approval is getting equally important as power,” he notes. “Once you have it, you de-risk the project a lot.”

Certain locations are doing more than others to streamline the process for developers, Cvengros adds. “Indiana, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, South Dallas, and Louisiana are greenlighting them. Pennsylvania even set up an AI Strike Force.” In addition, the governors of Alaska and West Virginia have advocated for the creation of AI data center hubs in their states due to their natural energy reserves. The Canadian province of Alberta is doing the same.

“Some people don’t want change to happen,” Cvengros says, “which means it takes more white-glove service to do business there. Give residents a chance to ask questions and then show them how you will improve their community. Coming into a city under nondisclosure and making the whole project a big surprise is not the way to go.”

Pat Lynch, executive managing director for CBRE’s Data Center Solutions, says dealing with opponents is just a fact of life. “Projects of this size will have some opposition. The best success comes when the client works collaboratively with the community and the local utility.”

Lynch cites the example of QScale, a Canadian data center developer that is planning a $3 billion campus in Toronto while building out a smaller one in Levis, Quebec. “They have been very successful,” he says.

“They are taking the waste heat from the data center and using it to support greenhouse farming. That is a really cool idea. Projects like this are being proposed in Germany too.”

The more sustainable and environmentally friendly these campuses become, Lynch says, the more they will win the hearts and minds of people who live near them. n

Ron Starner is the executive vice president of Conway, Inc.

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Delaware’s Competitive Landscape

Power Plays

Delaware’s competitiveness depends on delivering reliable, scalable power that meets the demands of growing industries WHEN SITE SELECTORS make decisions, one X factor rises above the rest: power. In today’s economy, utilities are king. Companies can no longer afford uncertainty around energy cost, availability, reliability, or capacity, and the states who will win projects are the ones that can guarantee it. As demand surges across all sectors, scalable power has become a make-or-break element of any location search and a critical factor in keeping existing employers here.

The following perspectives from energy leaders across the state — Marcus Beal of Delmarva Power, Mike Dunmyer of US Wind, and Andrew Cottone of Aternium — explore how their respective sector subsets are preparing to meet that demand and position the state for the next generation of economic growth.

ELECTRIC: MARCUS BEAL At the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s Developing Delaware conference, keynote speaker Ron Starner underscored a critical truth: for site selectors, reliable power is non-negotiable. This insight resonates deeply with Delmarva Power’s mission and our role in shaping Delaware’s economic future.

Energy reliability is at the heart of Delaware’s competitiveness.

Businesses, especially in advanced manufacturing, data centers, and life sciences, require not just power, but resilient, modern grids capable of supporting large-scale and sustainable operations. Delmarva Power is meeting this challenge head-on with a $2.7 billion, five-year grid modernization initiative. These investments include transmission upgrades designed to harden infrastructure against severe weather, advanced smart technologies, automated outage sectionalization, next-gen underground gas infrastructure and storage, and system upgrades enabling integration of clean energy resources such as solar and electric vehicles. The result: customers experienced the lowest outage frequency in our history, a 54% reduction over the past decade.

At the same time, we recognize the challenges of rising energy costs.

Through programs like our $6 million Customer Relief Fund and energy efficiency initiatives, we’re helping households and businesses manage costs while reducing consumption.

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projects, our proactive approach ensures companies can count on Delaware for uninterrupted, sustainable power.

Energy security isn’t just about keeping the lights on; it’s about enabling innovation, attracting investment, and supporting communities.

Delmarva Power stands ready to partner with state leaders and industry peers to position Delaware as a destination where businesses thrive because the power they need is always available.

WIND: MIKE DUNMYER The competition to attract new businesses is intense, but our state has many appealing assets and great potential. Of course, beyond a strong workforce, proximity to major markets, and favorable tax law, businesses need dependable, cost-competitive energy.

Today, Delaware generates very little of its own energy and is heavily reliant on one type — natural gas. Increasing power demand without a corresponding increase in supply and diversity has inflated power pricing in the state. Regional grid manager PJM recently forecast that available generation capacity may not cover required reserves in the state. Additional fossil fuel generation isn’t available in the short term, as there is a five-year lead time on natural gas turbines. Perception is the big hurdle in attracting new businesses to Delaware, and these headlines will not help that perception.

There is a solution, however. US Wind’s offshore wind project has a nameplate capacity of over 1,700 MW, which is more than double all existing and planned capacity on the Delmarva peninsula. The project has received all required federal, state, and local permits, and would be able to begin delivering power by the end of 2029 if it is allowed to proceed. This is the fastest way Delaware can fill its energy gap, stabilize energy pricing, and remain an attractive option for business formation.

HYDROGEN: ANDREW COTTONE Delaware, strategically located within the Mid-Atlantic, faces both opportunities and challenges in meeting the energy demands of the future.

As pressures on the region’s power system continue to grow, innovative energy solutions will be essential for maintaining Delaware’s competitiveness.

Hydrogen, particularly clean hydrogen produced from sources such as wind, solar, or nuclear, offers Delaware a path toward enhanced energy security and sustainability. While Delaware may lack traditional reserves of oil, coal, or natural gas, the state is uniquely positioned to harness hydrogen, which is abundantly stored within every water molecule.

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INNOVATIVE

ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL Hydrogen serves as a flexible energy carrier that can supplement grid capacity, provide backup power, and enable large-scale storage of clean energy. For site selectors, the integration of hydrogen technologies provides greater confidence in Delaware’s ability to deliver reliable power, especially for industries with high energy demands or those seeking to meet aggressive environmental targets.

Delaware also has a chance to double down on the energy opportunity.

A hydrogen plant associated or co-located with nuclear generation is a force multiplier because it can function as a stabilized, constant load and as a demand-response user. Any excess nuclear capacity can be used to produce hydrogen and heavy water for regional distribution, international export, or other applications. This interplay of technologies allows nuclear facilities to operate at higher capacities, increasing efficiency and stable loads while lowering unit costs for citizens. Hydrogen does not compete with nuclear.

It is complementary. Electrons from nuclear power cannot be exported long distances, but hydrogen can.

By investing in hydrogen infrastructure and supporting companies that will accelerate that mission, Delaware positions itself at the forefront of clean energy innovation. The next step will be ensuring that state policy keeps pace.

Proactive, enabling legislation can help drive the implementation and adoption of these solutions, sending a clear signal to businesses and investors that Delaware is ready to lead the next chapter of the clean energy economy. n

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Delaware’s Competitive Landscape

Getting On the Map

Increasing awareness of Delaware’s value proposition a top goal for 2026 BY BECKY HARRINGTON DELAWARE RANKS FIRST in foreign direct investment competitiveness, according to the 2025 Business Facilities State Rankings Report. A significant status, yes, and one that the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) wants to ensure corporate decision-makers are aware of.

In 2018, Delaware economic development and government officials were told by a visiting site selector that the state was not on the radar as a top spot for foreign or domestic business location or expansion. In 2025, a Site Selection magazine editor encouraged Delaware to continue its efforts to make sure our state is top of mind for corporate location decision-makers. In 2026, DPP aims to do just that.

Since launching as a public-private nonprofit in 2017, DPP has collaborated with partners statewide to boost Delaware’s appeal. Some of these efforts focus on ensuring the state offers what companies seek: skilled talent; quality sites, facilities, and infrastructure; reliable transportation, communication networks, and utilities; and business-friendly access and policies. The Site Readiness and Graduated Lab Space grants DPP helped create in 2021 are key developments supporting this goal.

DPP’s work also focuses on strengthening relationships among local and regional economic developers, business support organizations like chambers of commerce, government officials, site developers, real estate brokers, and utilities. To support this work, DPP regularly shares insight, data, and strategy through social media and speaking engagements, 43 of which were completed across the state and region in 2025. Beyond Delaware, DPP cultivates connections with national and global site selectors and representatives from industry and economic development organizations.

In 2025, DPP staff traveled to seven countries, 13 states, and Washington, D.C., to participate in 34 industry, trade, site consultant, and economic development events and co-hosted a showcase of the region’s growing precision medical tech industry.

Over the last eight years, such strategic attention has led DPP to help attract 87 projects, more than 8,200 new jobs, and $3.57 billion in capital investment to Delaware and keep more than 3,200 existing jobs here.

These projects have included sizable investments by major corporations, including Merck, WuXi STA, Delmarva Corrugated Packaging, Aldi, Incyte, PepsiCo, DuPont Electronics, Amazon, FMC, Solenis, and Siemens Healthineers.

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technology companies whose presence strengthens their respective industries and the greater innovation ecosystem in Delaware, including Adesis, Agilent, AirJoule, AMT, Ardent, Carvertise, Corteva, Hologic, Prelude Therapeutics, QPS, Royal Pigments, Sepax Technologies, Synnovation Therapeutics, Versogen, and Wilmington PharmaTech.

Governor Matt Meyer has charged DPP and its partners with focusing on expanding this latter category of business to solidify Delaware’s brand and promote top-of-mind status among early-stage companies that are scaling quickly. How? By strengthening the state’s startup pipeline with improved university tech commercialization, company attraction, and entrepreneurial support; attracting capital by boosting Delaware’s visibility among investors and expanding funding for companies connected with accelerators and advisory services; and establishing corporate-connection programs to create market pipelines for the products and services of young Delaware companies.

Rest assured, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership will continue to compete for major projects like Merck while promoting Delaware as a top business destination for scaling and emerging companies. n

Becky Harrington is the interim president & CEO of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership.

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Delaware’s Competitive Landscape

A Formula That Works Preserving Delaware’s economic resiliency through predictable tax policy BY BRIAN DISABATINO

DELAWARE’S ECONOMY punches well above its weight because it has built a focused, predictable environment that attracts investment, supports employers, and encourages job creation. But we must be forthright and clear-eyed in our efforts to preserve our state’s economic resiliency.

In assessing the state’s economic development and competitiveness, three strengths stand out: its reputation as the nation’s preeminent corporate home, its lack of a statewide sales tax, and a stable personal income tax structure. Preserving these features — while exercising fiscal discipline in government spending — is essential to maintaining and expanding Delaware’s advantage relative to neighboring states.

For more than a century Delaware’s corporate franchise status has been a cornerstone of its economic identity. A robust body of corporate law, experienced courts, and a talented legal community make it efficient and predictable for businesses to incorporate and resolve disputes. Such corporate activity produces recurring franchise tax and incorporation fee revenue that represents a substantial portion of the state’s annual revenues. It signals to executives and investors that Delaware is a safe, stable place to do business.

Losing or diluting that status would not only reduce a steady revenue stream, but also blunt a key magnet that draws headquarters, legal practices, and specialized financial services to the state — all sources of high-quality jobs.

Equally important is Delaware’s absence of a general sales tax. For producers and retailers weighing locations, a no-sales-tax environment lowers the overall tax burden on consumption and simplifies pricing and compliance. For workers and employers, it can make the state more attractive — particularly for businesses with significant physical or administrative footprints. The sales-tax advantage also plays an important role in regional competitiveness: when nearby states levy higher sales taxes, Delaware becomes even more appealing for both consumers and firms looking to minimize costs. That relative competitive edge translates 58

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into blue-collar and white-collar jobs and payrolls that benefit residents across income levels.

Importantly, maintaining the state’s personal income tax rate structure — and avoiding increases in personal income taxes — complements these advantages.

Competitive personal rates help retain skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and retirees, and they make it easier for employers to recruit talent without forcing them to offset higher payroll costs through wage adjustments. Personal tax stability also supports retail consumption and housing markets, which in turn sustains local businesses and the municipal tax base. Raising personal income tax rates may provide short-term revenue but would risk discouraging in-migration and dampening consumer demand precisely when policymakers should be focused on long-term growth and job creation.

All these policy strengths depend on the political will to exercise prudent fiscal management. Delaware’s government must be disciplined about the state’s budget growth, resisting the temptation to implement recurring spending that cannot be sustained through challenging economic cycles. Wise and careful budgeting preserves the state’s fiscal flexibility and protects the tax advantages that attract employers who provide jobs for Delawareans.

Strategic, targeted public investment — in areas such as education and workforce, innovation and entrepreneurship, and long-term competitiveness — paired with restraint in ongoing budget development will help keep Delaware competitive, encourage job creation, and ensure the state’s economic resilience for years to come. n Brian DiSabatino is the CEO of EDiS Company and chair of the Delaware Business Roundtable.

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Policy & Economic Forecast

Winning the Future

BY GOVERNOR MATT MEYER

THIS YEAR, our nation celebrates its 250th birthday and the visionary leaders that created the American experiment. In Delaware, we take immense pride in the fact that our state was the first to ratify the Constitution, embracing the vision of a brighter future before anyone else. Just two decades later, French immigrant E.I. du Pont laid the groundwork for what would become the world’s largest chemical company. And since then, the First State has never looked back as we race toward prosperity.

Looking ahead, we can see that same entrepreneurial spirit helping shape and lead Delaware’s future. Through cutting-edge innovation in industries like advanced manufacturing and life sciences, companies up and down the state are thriving with record-breaking growth, creating wealth and job opportunities. That’s why we’re focused on creating and growing the next unicorn right here in Delaware.

For more than a century, our state has held a tremendous business-friendly reputation through our globally recognized Court of Chancery. Its long history of reliable and impartial jurisprudence has given the majority of U.S. publicly traded companies, as well as two-thirds of the Fortune 500, ample confidence to incorporate here. Despite loud critics making misleading claims, Delaware continues to be the preeminent location to establish a corporation. From January through October of 2025, nearly 280,000 new entities incorporated here in Delaware — a 14% increase from the first ten months of 2024.

Encouraged by our pioneering spirit from the past and our leadership in the present, how can we win the future?

The answer is simple: to attract and grow strong businesses, we need to establish the highest quality of living in the nation, cut red tape, foster innovation, and develop a well-educated workforce.

In just our first year, my administration has created programs and enacted laws promoting economic growth statewide. To reduce bureaucratic barriers for small businesses, we are collaborating across state agencies and local governments to 60

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streamline regulations and modernize licensing. We relaunched the State Small Business Credit Initiative and supercharged the EDGE Grant program to help early-stage companies turn their ideas into reality.

Alongside access to capital, local entrepreneurs are receiving resources to help them expand confidently and efficiently. Removing obstacles and emphasizing growth are critical to realizing our economic vision.

However, sustained success requires a resilient foundation.

Across the country, purchasing a home has become increasingly expensive.

Whether it’s a young couple or a middle-aged professional moving for a new job, prospective buyers feel priced out. Simple economics tells us that to decrease costs, we need to increase supply. By accelerating the permitting process for housing construction, prioritizing existing transportation corridors, and encouraging multi-use development, we are doing just that.

Expanding Delaware’s supply of affordable homes makes it easier for new workers, companies, and ideas to move to our state — boosting our economy and ensuring no person or family is without a place to sleep.

A thriving state is also a healthy state. That’s why, in November, we announced a comprehensive plan to overhaul health care in Delaware — a collection of 15 projects and initiatives to improve access while lowering costs and growing our health-related workforce. From opening new Hope Centers in Kent and Sussex counties to investing in mobile health units and telehealth technology, our plan is designed to help residents connect with health care providers in any community. As our health infrastructure improves, Delaware becomes an even more attractive option for companies considering relocation and entrepreneurs interested in working with our health care system. In turn, that leads to better outcomes for both Delawareans’ health and our economy.

Affordable housing and quality health care help families get by, but education is what allows people to get ahead. Today’s classrooms are where tomorrow’s workforce — our future entrepreneurs, researchers, programmers, and medical professionals — is being built. By investing directly in classrooms, focusing on early literacy, and modernizing Delaware’s outdated school funding formula, we can deliver a high-quality education to every child and build the skilled workforce our economy depends on.

To win the future, we need a pro-growth environment that creates more opportunity, not bureaucracy.

We must increase the supply of affordable housing, invest in our education system, and expand access to health care, because a sturdy foundation is the key to long-term success. And as companies perform cuttingedge research, pursue groundbreaking discoveries, and hire more Delawareans, our entire state will benefit.

Delaware has always punched above its weight. By choosing to lead, we will create a strong, reliable, and affordable economy where every Delawarean can prosper. n DELAWARE BUSINESS

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Policy & Economic Forecast

Protecting Delaware’s Farms for the Future

Delaware Farm Bureau leads grassroots efforts and legislative action to keep agriculture viable for generations to come BY JAIDEN CAIN AGRICULTURE IS DELAWARE’S number one industry, contributing $2.1 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Delaware was built on agriculture, but growing pressures, including higher input costs, labor shortages, an aging workforce, and ongoing development are making it harder for family farms to stay in business. Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) works every day to alleviate these pressures as a member-driven grassroots organization with a mission to 62

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promote and protect Delaware agriculture through education and advocacy, ensuring a quality of life for farmers and their families and consumers.

One of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today is the increasing barriers to entry. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the average age of Delaware farmers is 58.8, up from 57.4 in 2017. Farmers are aging, and younger generations often cannot take over. Many farms cannot support multiple generations, forcing younger family members to seek offJan uar y / Feb r uar y 2026

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farm jobs. New farmers are hit hardest by soaring land values and the rising cost of equipment and supplies. With farmland prices often exceeding $15,000 per acre, starting a farm can require millions of dollars in upfront costs before supplies like equipment, feed, seed, and structures are even considered. Competing with developers for land makes it even harder, and much of Delaware’s farmland is disappearing under housing developments and shopping centers.

Without support, farmers may be forced out of business or out of Delaware, sacrificing our state’s food security and billions in economic impact.

Without support, farmers may be forced out of business or out of Delaware, sacrificing our state’s food security and billions in economic impact. That’s why DEFB focuses on policy solutions. Our policy development process is grassroots: delegates from each county vote annually to shape our policy, which then guides legislative action.

In Delaware’s 153rd General Assembly, DEFB is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill 35, an act to amend Title 9 of the Delaware Code relating to

assessments and taxation of structures on agricultural land. This bill would provide real estate tax relief for qualified farm structures, similar to existing mechanisms for farmland. For small and medium-sized farms, this could be a lifeline. Recent statewide property reassessments highlighted the urgency, as some farmers saw tax increases of up to 400%, forcing them to choose between paying their mortgage or their taxes. The reassessments have created serious challenges not only for producers but also for consumers and small businesses. We hope that this is the first step in achieving equality.

In the upcoming session, DEFB will be very active in Legislative Hall as topics such as energy, taxes, and reassessment bring forward bills that could have major implications for agriculture. DEFB looks forward to advancing policies that safeguard private property rights, empower Delaware’s farmers, and strengthen our local food supply.

As Delaware grows, agriculture faces mounting challenges. Through advocacy and education, Delaware Farm Bureau is committed to ensuring that farming remains viable not just today, but for generations to come. n Jaiden Cain is the membership and outreach coordinator for the Delaware Farm Bureau.

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Policy & Economic Forecast

Keeping America Moving

Congress must deliver the certainty, funding, and reforms essential to the future of our nation’s roads, bridges, and transit infrastructure in 2026

BY JOHN DRAKE

EVERY AMERICAN RELIES on roads, bridges, ports, transit

Accelerating Approvals for New Transportation Projects

systems, and other aspects of our national transportation network to travel, commute, and deliver goods. They are the connective tissue of our economy and our nation.

Policymakers in Washington, D.C., will consider the future of this network in 2026 when they craft the next “surface transportation” or “highway” bill.

This is how Congress establishes federal funding commitments for America’s critical transportation systems for the years ahead, along with the investment and policy priorities that guide them. Absent timely action from Washington, states and local governments cannot maintain these networks on their own — undermining efforts to reduce congestion, improve safety, and support economic growth, including new opportunities created by nearshoring and reshoring of American manufacturing and supply chains.

Congress has an opportunity to address two long-term challenges: permitting reform and the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

One of the most significant barriers to upgrading and expanding America’s transportation infrastructure is the federal permitting process.

The current process is often unwieldy, inconsistent, and time-consuming, adding years of delays and unnecessary costs to critical projects.

On average, it takes seven and a half years to secure a permit for a new road or bridge, with more complex projects taking even longer. Such a lengthy process can add billions of dollars to the cost, in some cases making projects too expensive or risky to pursue.

That’s why we are prioritizing permitting reform through our Permit America to Build initiative. Congress can reduce delays, lower costs, and provide greater predictability for states, localities, and project sponsors while ensuring environmental reviews and public input by streamlining and modernizing the decision-making process that gets shovels into the ground.

And there’s reason for optimism: proponents of permitting reform in Congress have made meaningful, bipartisan progress, with several permitting reform bills moving through the House.

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Congress must build on these efforts and pass comprehensive permitting reform to cut red tape, enhance interagency coordination, and leverage technology to accelerate project delivery.

through our Keep America Moving initiative. After all, the next surface transportation bill must keep America moving forward — and ensure that the federal funding model is fair, sustainable, and built for the future.

Modernize How We Fund America’s Infrastructure

A Defining Moment for America’s Infrastructure

Since the Eisenhower administration, America’s roads, bridges, and transit systems have been supported by user fees — gasoline, motor fuel, and other vehicle-related taxes paid by those who use the system. But today, that model no longer reflects how Americans actually travel. More fuel-efficient, hybrid, and electric vehicles are paying far less — or in some cases nothing — into the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), even as they rely on the same network. As a result, drivers of older and less-efficient vehicles are increasingly carrying more than their fair share of the costs.

Meanwhile, the HTF is falling further behind. Inflation, rising construction costs, and shifting vehicle technologies have steadily eroded the system’s buying power. The Congressional Budget Office now projects a $33 billion shortfall in 2026 alone — jeopardizing projects essential to modernizing our infrastructure and sustaining economic growth.

That’s why Congress must modernize the user-fee system. Any solution under consideration must reflect today’s transportation realities and ensure that everyone who benefits from our infrastructure contributes fairly to its upkeep.

The U.S. Chamber will remain an active voice in this debate

The next surface transportation bill offers a critical opportunity to improve the lives of everyday Americans by strengthening the Highway Trust Fund, modernizing our permitting system, and enhancing the safety and reliability of our transportation network. This is about more than fixing roads and bridges — it’s about giving people safer commutes, more reliable transit, and infrastructure that helps businesses grow and keeps household costs down. It’s about creating good jobs, opening doors to new opportunities, and strengthening the communities where families live and work.

Let’s seize this moment to invest in our future and deliver the infrastructure that America deserves. n

John Drake is vice president of transportation, infrastructure, and supply chain policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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Policy & Economic Forecast

Banking on Delaware’s Future A Q&A with Delaware Bankers Association President, CEO, and Treasurer Karyn Polak AS DELAWARE’S FINANCIAL SECTOR continues to evolve, banking leaders are reevaluating how policy decisions, regulatory shifts, and broader economic forces will shape the industry’s future. In a year marked by consolidation, technological change, and heightened focus on consumer protection, the banking community plays a central role in Delaware’s economic outlook. To better understand these dynamics — and what they mean for the state’s long-term competitiveness — we spoke with Karyn Polak, the new president, CEO, and treasurer of the Delaware Bankers Association, for her perspective on where Delaware’s banking landscape is headed.

Now that you’ve stepped into this new role, what’s one goal you’re especially excited to focus on — either for the association or the broader banking community?

The Delaware Bankers Association and our sister entity, the Delaware Financial Education Alliance, exist to advance financial access, education, and opportunity for all. In this truly unique moment of myriad, multilayered uncertainty, we are positioned to help all our members and partners navigate toward a stronger, more stable future. I’m most excited for us to work with the whole financial industry to help shape what that future needs to look like so we can accomplish that goal of deep, broad economic development for all our neighbors across the state and beyond.

Delaware’s financial services industry helps power the state’s economy — employing one in ten workers and having paid over $3.7 billion in bank franchise taxes to the State since the enactment of the Financial Center Development Act. What makes Delaware such a strong home for the banking industry?

Delaware’s almost half-century of business-friendly laws, regulations, and judicial decisions make it an efficient, predictable place for companies to locate and operate. For tax-paying banks and trust companies, which are highly regulated and therefore incredibly complex institutions, predictability and confidence in the guardrails for doing business are even more important and valuable.

Some might misread “business-friendliness” to mean being unfriendly to consumers. I’d say quite the opposite. Our regulated financial institutions are proud to support our clients — individuals, businesses, and communities — with the confidence and security that common-sense 66

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guardrails provide. When you save with, borrow from, or work for a bank or trust company, you benefit from the protections we’re required to have in place, and your money can go farther as a consequence.

With recent changes like the Discover-Capital One merger, Delaware’s banking landscape continues to evolve. How do you see that shaping the future for community banks and local customers?

Continued industry consolidation presents challenges for Delawareans not only in the sheer numbers — potential loss of jobs, franchise taxes, and locally chartered institutions — but also in the local focus and support that institutions provide. Large and mid-sized banks move dollars at scale, funding valuable public-private partnerships, sizable economic development projects, and major institutions, all of which are critical to the state’s economy and growth potential. At the same time, community banks operate on a hyperlocal scale: They know the local merchants, public spaces, and community needs, and they mobilize their time, talent, and treasure to support individuals and families in ways other institutions cannot.

We need banks and trust companies of all sizes supporting the spectrum of needs from industrial to individual. This is where the state’s ability to innovate and think creatively and expansively about different types of institutions and different ways of operating is critical. We need state and local government, our legislators, and our regulators to support new tools and new ideas for the financial industry. We need to work together, openly and collaboratively, to craft the promising future I referenced earlier. That’s where the Delaware Bankers Association is uniquely positioned: We have strong and continually deepening relationships across all these players, and we spark conversations that move us forward together.

What’s most important to you as a leader and in particular as the leader of this 130-year-old organization?

To me, leadership is about grace, humility, courage, and service — being able to bring out the best in those around you so we can work together toward a common purpose. As a leader, I’m hyper-focused on advocacy through open dialogue and collaboration across sectors, functions, and geographies. As the leader of this 130-year-old organization, I want us to always remember whom we’re here to serve: our neighbors. We serve our members so they can serve their employees, clients, and communities — their and our neighbors. n Jan uar y / Feb r uar y 2026

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Annual Report

Beyond Federal Funds Charting a pro-business course for Delaware, the small state that can deliver big results

BY NEIL BRADLEY

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT is over $38 trillion in debt — more than $112,000 for every person in the United States. This past year, $1.8 trillion was added to the debt as trillion-dollar deficits, once unthinkable outside of war or national crisis, become the norm. Last year, the federal government spent more on interest payments on the nation’s debt than on defense.

Because this cannot continue indefinitely, it will not. Federal policymakers will be forced by bond markets to right the fiscal ship. Most budget experts agree that this will require some combination of additional revenue and spending cuts. Congress, reluctant to make reductions in programs like Social Security and Medicare, is likely to target funds going to state governments, forcing state lawmakers to engage in tough choices. Already, many states are adjusting their own budgets as a result of changes in the tax and spending law enacted last summer.

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mately 30% of the state budget, a sizeable share of annual spending.

Reductions in spending in Washington will create choice points for Delaware. Those decisions will determine the state’s economic outlook and its regional competitiveness.

A common response to less federal funding is to increase taxes locally.

Such measures, while presented as a quick fix, can be shortsighted. They stifle investment, discourage innovation, and can drive the very enterprises that form our economic engine to more competitive states. This approach treats businesses as a static source of revenue to be tapped, rather than a dynamic ecosystem to be cultivated.

According to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, Delaware currently ranks 24th among the states in overall state competitiveness, but last when it comes to corporate or business taxes. Raising business taxes risks pushing more businesses to relocate, and raising other taxes on individuals and families risks undermining the tax advantage Delaware has over its neighbors when it comes to deciding where to live.

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A better path focuses on spending restraint and capitalizing on Delaware’s unique advantages. According to the National Association of State Budget Officers, total state spending grew by 42% in Delaware between 2019 and 2024. Finding ways to economize now can help avoid more difficult decisions later.

When it comes to the economy, Delaware possesses unique and powerful assets. That starts with the Delaware Court of Chancery, which provides an unparalleled legal framework that draws corporations from the United States and around the world. Yet other states are looking to compete with Delaware by convincing companies to change their state of incorporation. Given the reliance of the state budget on revenue from corporate registration and franchise fees — approximately one-fourth of total revenue — Delaware must prioritize maintaining its position as the home of choice for corporate America.

The Port of Wilmington is a significant economic driver for Delaware and the surrounding region. It supports over 4,000 jobs, generating nearly $340 million in business revenue and $31 million in state and regional taxes. The port is a major gateway for international trade, handling imports of fresh fruit and other products. The ongoing expansion will enhance Delaware’s competitive edge — creating new jobs and generating millions in state and local tax revenues.

Capitalizing on this core infrastructure project requires making it easier to build other infrastructure around the state. Permitting reform will

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ensure certainty and predictability around timelines and approval processes and will make Delaware an attractive place to invest.

Finally, a forward-thinking strategy involves ensuring workforce development programs are directly aligned with the needs of key local industries, helping them fill the open positions that drive growth.

Delaware currently has more open jobs than unemployed individuals looking for work. According to the Department of Labor, this year the level of job openings in Delaware has been higher than the national average. Reforming workforce training programs can help create a self-reinforcing cycle of growth where businesses have the human capital they need to thrive and workers have access to meaningful career opportunities.

We can predict with near certainty that fiscal restraint in Washington will mean less federal revenue flowing into Dover. What state policymakers decide to do will determine whether the future is one of stronger economic growth and greater opportunity — or stagnation and decline. n

Neil Bradley is the executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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Annual Report

Empowering Hispanic Businesses

Advancing growth and opportunity focus on scaling, succession planning, and board readiness. Both programs in local communities and beyond help participants gain the confidence and perspective needed to think bigBY RAMIRO CAVAZO

HISPANIC BUSINESSES are a driving force in the U.S. economy, generating more than $650 billion in revenue, creating jobs, and strengthening communities across the country. From family-owned startups to thriving enterprises, these businesses bring innovation, resilience, and opportunity to neighborhoods and industries alike. At the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), we are proud to support these entrepreneurs by connecting them with the resources, networks, and guidance they need to grow and succeed.

A cornerstone of our work is the USHCC Educational Fund, which provides mentorship, training, and strategic resources to business owners at all stages of growth. Through the fund, we help entrepreneurs strengthen operations, access capital, and develop leadership skills, creating a foundation that allows businesses to turn potential into tangible results.

In 2025, our initiatives reached new milestones. At the 4th Annual USHCC Energy Summit in Santa Fe, New Mexico, we announced the latest cohort of the Avanzando Suppliers with Blue Wave program, powered

by Toyota’s Green Builds Business. For the first time, this cohort focused specifically on sustainability-driven suppliers, equipping businesses to meet corporate procurement standards while positioning themselves in the green economy. In less than three years since the program launched in 2023, we have graduated more than 100 companies, helping them build capacity, refine processes, and secure new contracts that grow their businesses. Many participants reported immediate results, including opportunities to engage with Fortune 500 buyers and participate in large-scale RFPs. Leadership development continued to expand with programs like the Latina Growth Accelerator, in partnership with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and supported by The Kroger Co. Foundation. This initiative guides high-revenue entrepreneurs through mentorship, strategic planning, and peer learning. The Latina Enterprise Leader Program, supported by Wells Fargo, provides CEOs with tools to 70

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ger about growth and long-term impact.

Our signature events play an essential role in bringing these efforts to life. The 46th Annual USHCC National Conference in Atlanta provided a platform for business owners to showcase their products, connect with corporate partners, and engage in supplier matchmaking and interactive learning sessions. Earlier in the year, the Energy Summit highlighted opportunities for small and Hispanic-owned businesses in clean energy, infrastructure, and other high-growth sectors, with sessions focused on innovation, workforce development, and sustainability practices. The Annual USHCC Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., offered entrepreneurs a direct line to lawmakers and agency leaders, combining advocacy training with opportunities to shape policies that affect access to capital, supplier diversity, and economic opportunity nationwide.

At the local level, we continue to support communities across the country, including in Delaware, where regional chambers and business associations hosted workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking events. These efforts help entrepreneurs refine operations, connect with buyers, and leverage national resources, ensuring that growth reaches both local communities and broader markets.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are focused on building on this momentum. We will continue expanding programs and exploring emerging sectors. Our signature events, including the Energy Summit, Legislative Summit, and National Conference, will once again bring entrepreneurs together with corporate leaders, investors, and policymakers, creating new avenues for collaboration, mentorship, and growth. Through education, leadership development, and advocacy, we remain committed to empowering businesses and the communities they serve so they can innovate, scale, and help shape an inclusive and sustainable economy. n

Ramiro Cavazos is the president and chief executive officer of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

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Annual Report

Driving Industry Forward Amid Challenges

BY RUSTYN STOOPS

DELAWARE’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR remains a cornerstone of the state’s economy, contributing billions to GDP, supporting thousands of jobs, and driving innovation across multiple industries. At the center of this ecosystem is the Delaware Manufacturing Association (DMA), an affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, which works to strengthen competitiveness and advocate for manufacturers at every level.

Economic Impact and Key Metrics Manufacturing accounts for roughly $8 billion of Delaware’s GDP, or about 7% of the state’s total economy, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. More than 26,500 Delawareans work in this sector, earning an average wage of $98,000 annually — well above the state average. Manufacturers also help power Delaware’s role in global trade, exporting $4.4 billion in goods each year, with chemicals, electronics, and machinery leading the way.

conference always sparks meaningful conversations about issues that matter to manufacturers, including trade, workforce development, and tax policy.

In 2024, DMA and the State Chamber also added a creative twist with the “Coolest Thing Made in Delaware” competition — a five-week, bracket-style online contest that highlights innovation throughout the state.

This year’s winner, Agilent Technologies, earned top honors for its Resolve Handheld Raman Spectrometer, edging out strong finalists including ILC Dover’s spacesuits, Staging Dimensions’ Hot Wheels Double Dare Loop, and Sumuri LLC’s TALINO Forensic Workstations.

DMA’s Strategic Role Beyond its events, the DMA serves as the voice of Delaware manufacturers, weighing in on regulations, tax structures, and trade policies. The association also champions efforts that support site readiness, infrastructure upgrades, and workforce development — all essential for keeping Delaware competitive in a global market.

A Year of Uncertainty

Looking Ahead

The past year brought no shortage of challenges for manufacturers.

Fluctuating federal tariff policies created uncertainty, prompting many companies to take a more cautious approach and slowing order volumes.

Even so, Delaware’s manufacturing community showed its resilience, leaning on DMA’s advocacy and resources to navigate shifting regulatory and trade pressures.

With state investments in industrial infrastructure and workforce training increasing, Delaware’s manufacturing sector is well positioned for renewed growth. Through advocacy, collaboration, and a commitment to innovation, the Delaware Manufacturing Association continues to help ensure that manufacturing remains a powerful driver of economic opportunity and prosperity in the First State. n

Events That Unite and Inspire The DMA’s work extends beyond policy — it also energizes the industry through dynamic events. The Annual State Chamber Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference remains a signature gathering, and this year was no exception. Speakers included Gov. Matt Meyer and Gus Faucher, chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group. The 72

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Rustyn Stoops is deputy director of DEMEP and co-chair of the Delaware Manufacturing Association.

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2025 Delaware Manufacturing Association Board of Managers

CO-CHAIR JOHN C. GOODEN MDAVIS & SONS, INC.

CO-CHAIR RUSTYN STOOPS DEMEP

VICE CHAIR ADAM BLACKFORD AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES

PRESIDENT/SECRETARY MICHAEL J. QUARANTA DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CATHERINE M. BASSETT MOUNTAIRE FARMS, INC.

DARREN BUSEMAN B&M MEATS

ATUL CHUGH ALPHAGRAPHICS

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Annual Report

Strengthening Retail, Together

BY MICHAEL QUARANTA

AS WE BEGIN 2026, it is important to reflect on the work accomplished over the past year, acknowledge the challenges that remain, and stay focused on strengthening the retail climate in Delaware. Retail continues to be an essential part of our state’s economic, workforce, and community identity. It represents thousands of jobs, entrepreneurial opportunity, and daily access to goods and services.

While economic conditions shifted throughout 2025, retail spending across the United States proved resilient according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). The NRF projected that holiday sales in November and December would grow between 3.7 percent and 4.2 percent, surpassing $1 trillion for the first time in U.S. history. Delaware also continues to benefit from our tax-free advantage, which helped draw shoppers from across the region, particularly during the peak holiday period.

To help support, inform, and advocate for retailers across this evolving landscape, the Delaware Retail Council (DRC) serves as the statewide voice for retailers of all sizes and sectors and is the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s official retail policy arm. As the state affiliate of the NRF, the DRC connects Delaware-based retailers with national data, policy insights, and collaboration with industry peers across the country.

Throughout 2025, organized retail crime (ORC) remained the most pressing issue facing retailers here and nationwide. ORC is not traditional shoplifting. It is organized, profit-driven, increasingly violent, and amplified by digital marketplaces and fraudulent techniques. A 2025 NRF study found

that retailers experienced an 18 percent increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents in 2024 compared with 2023, as well as a 17 percent increase in threats or acts of violence tied to those incidents. The study also reported continued increases in phone-based scams, online and e-commerce fraud, in-store merchandise theft, and cargo or supply-chain theft.

In response, the DRC met several times in 2025 with Attorney General Kathy Jennings and members of her leadership team to share data, identify trends, and discuss ways to better support both enforcement and prevention.

This collaboration contributed to the passage of SCR 12, which established the Retail Crime Prevention Task Force. The State Chamber holds a seat on this task force, and I have been a participant as the group begins its work to evaluate current conditions, identify gaps, and recommend policy changes that can meaningfully reduce crime and improve safety.

Looking to 2026, the DRC plans to increase focus on gift card fraud, an emerging concern nationally and in our state. Conversations have already begun with the Retail Industry Leaders Association to explore model policy language that may be appropriate for Delaware. Proactive engagement will be critical so that retailers are not forced to respond only after losses escalate.

As we move forward, I encourage Delaware retailers, both large and small, to consider joining the DRC. Your voice will help guide priorities, influence policy, and strengthen the collective work needed to maintain a safe, successful retail environment. If you have any questions about joining the Delaware Retail Council, please reach out to Evan Park at epark@dscc.com. n

2025 Delaware Retail Council Board

MATTHEW CAMPION HOME DEPOT VICE CHAIR

CHANELL AUTREY TARGET

SEAN CONNER LOWE’S COMPANIES

DANIEL HARRIS WALMART

DAKOTA JACKSON SHEIN TECHNOLOGY

KATIE MCEVOY AT&T

LAUREN NEILL T-MOBILE

VERONICA NG WALGREENS

ALICIA PALOMBO CVS HEALTH

DAVE VANDERWOUDE BEST BUY

DAVE VITALI AMAZON

ZUZY ZVAROVA THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY

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Annual Report

Retail’s Big Show

BY MATTHEW SHAY

SUCCESS IN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY depends on keeping pace with consumers and anticipating their future needs. That’s why the most forward-thinking retail leaders gather each January at Retail’s Big Show in New York City.

As the retail industry’s premier event, the National Retail Federation brings together the people, ideas, and technologies that define what’s next in retail. This year, more than 40,000 attendees immersed themselves in a world of innovation, exploring the trends and solutions shaping retail’s future — from artificial intelligence and digital transformation to talent strategy, sustainability, and customer experience. It’s one of the few opportunities to see the entire retail ecosystem in one place and learn directly from those driving change at every level.

For business leaders, being part of this conversation is essential. The retail industry is transforming faster than ever, and the organizations that thrive are those that connect insight to action. Retail’s Big Show offers executives and industry leaders the chance to test new ideas, benchmark strategies against peers, and explore technologies that address the sector’s most pressing challenges, including rising costs, shifting consumer expectations, workforce development and supply chain resilience.

The main stage at NRF 2026 featured some of retail’s most influential leaders — including John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. and incoming president and CEO of Walmart Inc.; Fran Horowitz, CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and recipient of NRF’s 2026 The Visionary award; Linda Hubbard, president and CEO of Carhartt; Marc Metrick, 76

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CEO of Saks Global; Michael Rubin, founder and CEO of Fanatics; and Kecia Steelman, president and CEO of Ulta Beauty. Their insights provided a candid look at how the world’s biggest brands are adapting, investing, and evolving to stay relevant in a world defined by constant change.

Beyond the educational sessions, Retail’s Big Show is where relationships are built and collaborations take shape. The Expo floor buzzes with energy, connecting retailers, solution providers, and partners in an environment designed for discovery. Attendees can explore the latest technologies, meet innovators behind the next generation of retail tools, and gain hands-on experience with solutions that improve operations, enhance customer engagement and drive profitability. This year, attendees also had the ability to access NRF Rev, a new event exploring the future of returns, reverse logistics, and circular retail.

In an age when change is the only constant, retail leaders can’t afford to watch from the sidelines. Every January, Retail’s Big Show is where the conversation about what’s next happens — and where those shaping the future of retail come together to make it real. n

Matthew Shay is president & CEO of the National Retail Federation.

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Annual Report

A Competitiveness Signal

BY DAE’SHAWN NIXON

DELAWARE PAYS TO MAINTAIN SPACE it does not fully use. Roughly 20% of public schools operate below 66% capacity, even as the state spends about $270 million each year on school building maintenance. In any business portfolio, sustained underutilization paired with fixed operating costs triggers a strategic decision: right-size the footprint, reinvest in what remains, and redeploy excess assets. For Delaware, that decision sits at the intersection of two constraints that employers and employees repeatedly raise — housing availability and workforce readiness.

This is not solely an education issue. It is a labor-market and cost-ofliving issue, with direct implications for business growth. When housing supply lags behind demand, employers experience slower hiring, smaller labor sheds, longer commutes, and weaker retention — especially for midcareer talent. When older Delawareans cannot find right-sized housing, many remain in single-family homes that no longer fit their needs, reducing inventory and tightening the market for families. At the same time, public dollars continue to support a facilities footprint that no longer reflects demographic reality.

Delaware faces a clear choice: continue carrying an oversized footprint or modernize it and redeploy the value.

Schools often sit in or near residential neighborhoods. Vacant buildings rarely stand “out of the way.” They occupy land with infrastructure, road access, and community proximity — exactly where housing solutions are needed most.

One redevelopment pathway converts an empty school into a seniorcentered campus, a hub for services and programming, with potential for assisted living where appropriate. Surrounding athletic fields, often among the largest contiguous parcels in established neighborhoods, can support independent living options. The effects compound quickly. When seniors move from single-family homes into senior living settings, those homes re-enter the market, increasing inventory and easing pressure across the

housing system.

This is about more than repurposing buildings. It is about unlocking mobility, strengthening Delaware’s labor market, and reducing cost-ofliving pressures that affect households and employers alike.

Consolidation also creates an opportunity to design clearer pathways from classroom to career. As Delaware merges facilities and vacates buildings, the state can establish career-focused magnets or academies in each county, aligned with priority sectors — healthcare, building trades, and technology — and designed to deliver results employers recognize.

The structure matters less than the outcomes. Employers need graduates with market-ready skills supported by dual enrollment, work-based learning, and stackable credentials that shorten time to productivity. When employers help define the certifications and experiences that matter in hiring, schools can align instruction with real demand, and students can graduate prepared to contribute on day one.

None of this is a one-size-fits-all push to close schools. Consolidation decisions must protect learning outcomes, maintain student access, and reflect the lived realities of communities. Redevelopment must also have clear guardrails — zoning alignment, transparent public engagement, responsible financing, and realistic timelines. Delaware does not need a single answer; it needs actionable data and solutions that address multiple constraints simultaneously.

WHY THE STATE CHAMBER IS LEANING IN This is the kind of complex, cross-sector challenge the business community cannot ignore or solve alone. Districts, municipalities, developers, community partners, and employers each play a part in the solution. Too often, progress stalls because stakeholders lack a shared fact base and a trusted, nonpartisan space to weigh tradeoffs and coordinate action.

John C. Fannin III, chair of the Delaware State Chamber Foundation and president at Harvey Hanna & Associates, has spent years working at the intersection of community assets, redevelopment, and economic viability. As he puts it, “Delaware doesn’t lack ideas. We need a shared set of facts and a plan that moves from analysis to action.”

That is why the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce evolved its 501(c)(3) strategy in 2025 — repositioning and expanding the mission of its longtime affiliate, the Partnership, MICHAEL J. QUARANTA DELAWARE STATE into the Delaware State Chamber Foundation CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (DSCF). The Foundation delivers nonpartisan

Board of Trustees

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CHAMBER FOUNDATION

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E

JOHN C. FANNIN III CHAIR, HARVEY HANNA & ASSOCIATES

MARK R. HUTTON M&T BANK

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◀ Scan to request a hard copy of the 2026 Delaware Competitiveness Bluebook.

research, builds shared metrics, tests solutions against costs and outcomes, and translates data into implementable strategies that strengthen Delaware’s economy and expand opportunities.

I’m Dae’Shawn Nixon, director of the Delaware State Chamber Foundation. I work with employers, educators, community partners, and policymakers to surface clear options, quantify tradeoffs, and align action so Delaware can move from debate to decisions.

In 2026, DSCF will produce research and tools that help employers and policymakers make informed, data-driven decisions. We will publish a school capacity scan analyzing utilization trends, fiscal impacts, and redevelopment opportunities. We will also examine competitiveness challenges, such as permitting, and identify practical options to reduce delays and accelerate responsible growth. Alongside this work, DSCF will launch a public-facing data dashboard that provides a single place to track key indicators shaping Delaware’s economy, including data on capacity signals, housing, and workforce metrics. Finally, an updated Competitiveness

Bluebook, released at the State Chamber’s Annual Dinner and available to the public, will provide a clear, data-informed snapshot of Delaware’s economic landscape.

If Delaware is going to remain a place where companies grow and Delawareans can afford to live, we must treat housing, workforce readiness, and public investment as connected challenges. Connect with the Delaware State Chamber Foundation to learn more, share what you are seeing in your industry, and get involved — whether by sponsoring research, joining an advisory group, contributing insights, or exploring board service. n

Dae’Shawn Nixon is the director of the Delaware State Chamber Foundation.

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Our team members work with pride, knowing that what they do today helps feed families tomorrow.

We believe in doing the right thing—day after day, season after season. That’s why we invest in our people, our partners, and our communities.

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Newsbites

TidalHealth Celebrates New Mobile Mammography Unit This past October, TidalHealth cut the ribbon on its state-of-the-art Mobile Mammography Unit, marking a major milestone as its $1 million fundraising goal was successfully reached and the “rolling imaging center” is now being prepped to hit the road.

Once fully outfitted by early 2026, the unit will bring advanced breast cancer screening services in a convenient and comfortable setting directly to women — including the medically underserved — across Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties in Maryland, and Sussex County, Del. Utilizing advanced GIS mapping technology and electronic medical record data, TidalHealth is strategically identifying neighborhoods, workplaces, and community centers with the highest medical needs. It is the only unit of its kind traveling Delmarva to provide this level of specialized care.

The cutting-edge, 38-foot mobile mammography motor coach will offer comprehensive 3D breast cancer screenings performed by a certified mammographer, providing superior image quality for accurate detection of breast abnormalities. Images will be transmitted and interpreted by a boardcertified TidalHealth radiologist.

“With this mobile mammography unit, we are breaking down barriers to care, reaching women who need it most, and saving lives across Delmarva through earlier detection and intervention,” said Jessica Hales, CFRE, vice president and chief philanthropy officer, and president of the TidalHealth Foundation.

Bancroft Construction Announces Leadership Transition Bancroft Construction has announced that after 25 years with the company — 15 of them as president and CEO —

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Greg Sawka has retired as of the end of 2025. Mike Petka has been appointed as his successor.

This marks only the second time in Bancroft’s 50-year history that the company’s top leadership has changed hands. Founded in 1975 by Stephen M.

Mockbee, Bancroft grew from a small builder on the banks of the Brandywine River in Wilmington into one of the most respected construction management firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2010, Mockbee transitioned leadership to Sawka.

“I’ve truly enjoyed working with colleagues who share an unwavering passion for construction excellence and continued improvement,” Sawka said.

Reflecting on his 15 years of leadership, he added, “I’m most proud of the fact that, year after year, we’ve continued to grow as an organization into new geographic regions, and we’ve set new standards Greg Sawka as a leader in a variety of market sectors. Because of this growth and evolution as a company, we’ve been able to provide personal and professional growth opportunities for our team members.

I’m excited to see Mike Petka Bancroft and our people take on new challenges under the third wave of leadership.”

Succeeding Sawka as president and CEO is Mike Petka, who has been with Bancroft since 2000. Like Sawka, Petka began his career as a project engineer and quickly rose through the ranks, holding positions as project manager, senior project manager, vice president of preconstruction, and most recently, vice president of operations.

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Easterseals Announces CEO Ken Sklenar’s Upcoming Retirement

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore has announced that President and CEO Ken Sklenar will retire in December 2026. Sklenar, who has led the organization for 13 years, will continue to guide Easterseals throughout this transition period.

Under Sklenar’s leadership, Easterseals experienced significant growth, strengthening its services and maintaining top-tier accreditation from the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. He oversaw the expansion of Easterseals from six to eight locations and helped lead a multimillion-dollar campaign to complete major projects that modernized and expanded Easterseals Camp Fairlee.

“Leading Easterseals has been the honor of my life,” Sklenar said. “I am incredibly proud of the work we do to support individuals and families in our communities, and I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary team we have at Easterseals. As I look ahead to my retirement, I remain confident that Easterseals will continue its mission to provide life-changing services to people with disabilities, and that our legacy of compassion and excellence will live on long after my tenure.”

Easterseals has committed to a seamless leadership transition as Sklenar prepares for retirement. The board of directors has formed a search committee to oversee the selection of a new CEO through a national search, with a goal of hiring a successor by fall 2026.

DSB Announces Winners of $1.15 Million in EDGE funding It was an evening of celebration and excitement as Gov. Matt Meyer and the Delaware Division of Small Business announced the winners of the EDGE 2.0 Grant Competition in November.

Winners in the Entrepreneur category are Insight Ag Scouting (Wyoming), Juniper Modern Market (Milton), and NFN Brain Connections (Dover).

Winners in the STEM category are Crystron Technologies (Wilmington), KiposTech (Newark), Lectrolyst (Wilmington), and Prismm (Newark).

This year’s competition featured extensive updates designed to strengthen the program and elevate Delaware small businesses. Changes included an increase in available funding — $1.15 million total, up from $750,000 in prior rounds — with $400,000 allocated to the Entrepreneur track (a 60% increase) and $750,000 to STEM (a 50% increase). Other enhancements included a new online submission process, no set number of winners or award amounts, expanded eligibility for businesses with 15 or fewer full-time employees and under $700,000 in assets, and new post-pitch in-kind services for finalists and awardees.

“We wanted to enhance the ability of small businesses to not just get funding, but to receive practical support and tools to help them scale in a way that provides a foundation for longevity,” said DSB Director CJ Bell. “These companies are the best of the best applicants, and I’m excited to see where they go from here.”

Delaware Community Foundation Celebrates 40 Years In 1985, former Gov. Pierre S. du Pont III, an active board member of the United Way of Delaware and the Longwood

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Foundation, realized that Delaware’s nonprofit agencies and institutions had greater charitable needs than existing resources could support. From within the business community, he recruited leaders to create the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) in July 1986.

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Newsbites For four decades, the DCF has worked alongside nonprofits supporting housing, education, immigrant communities, the arts, and other essential needs. The organization provides expert guidance to help local donors shape meaningful gifts — through donor-advised funds, scholarships, and other tax-smart giving tools — grounded in what communities need most. In addition to charitable stewardship, the DCF convenes community leaders and members for dynamic discussion and problemsolving to build opportunity.

“For forty years, the DCF has been able to strengthen communities thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors. Our impact reflects their commitment to making this state a better place for everyone,” DCF President and CEO Stuart ComstockGay said. “We credit our rapid growth as a community foundation, in part, to

the unwavering support of the Delaware business community.”

Starting in January 2026, the DCF will host 40th-anniversary celebrations throughout the First State, bringing nonprofit leaders together with generous donors, the business community, and civic actors to celebrate the continued impact of charitable giving in strengthening local communities.

Delaware Workforce Development Board Names Executive Director The Delaware Department of Labor and the Delaware Workforce Development Board (DWDB)

Highmark Names Timothy Vessel as Delaware President Tim Vessel has been named the new market segment president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware (Highmark Delaware), effective Oct. 13, 2025. He will oversee the state’s leading health insurer, which serves more than 500,000 employer-based, Medicare, Affordable Care Act, and Medicaid members. Vessel will provide strategic leadership over sales, marketing, actuarial, and policy functions as Highmark Delaware builds on its legacy of providing remarkable health experiences and community support since its founding in 1935 and its affiliation with Tim Vessel Highmark in 2012.

Prior to joining Highmark, Vessel held a series of progressive leadership roles at Cigna, including serving as a market growth leader and general manager, vice president of sales and account management, and director of sales operations. Vessel is a graduate of Wesleyan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics.

“I am thrilled to call Delaware my new home,” Vessel said. “I am humbled and honored to have the privilege of helping our more than 500 Highmark Delaware team members, and the communities we serve, be at their best.”

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announced John Quick as its new executive director.

Quick joins the board from the Department of Labor’s Division of Employment and Training, John Quick where he served as administrator of the Contracts Unit. Prior to that, he held several roles at the American Job Center in Dover, including area operations manager and employment services specialist. With deep knowledge of Delaware’s workforce and employment and training operations, Quick is well positioned to ensure a seamless transition into his new role while maintaining continuity in the DWDB’s ongoing initiatives.

Since joining the Department of Labor in 2019, Quick has leveraged his leadership experience — rooted in a 20-year career in the United States Air Force — to strengthen operational processes, lead teams, and manage complex initiatives. During his military career, he was selected to attend respected leadership courses including the Phoenix RAVEN training course, Airman Leadership School, NCO Academy, and Combat Leadership Course.

“John Quick’s proven leadership, both in service to our country and here in Delaware, uniquely positions him to guide the DWDB into its next chapter,” Department of Labor Secretary LaKresha Moultrie said. “His strategic mindset, operational expertise, and commitment to strengthening workforce opportunities will build on the strong foundation established under Joanna Staib’s leadership.”

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Chamber Calendar WHAT’S NEXT?

FEBRUARY 19, 2026 State of the Guard Address Learn about current missions, activities, and operations from your hometown force of soldiers and airmen, the Delaware National Guard. This event, hosted by the Joint Military Affairs Committee, also honors the winners of the Warrior Friendly Business Award.

MARCH 26, 2026 Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference The Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference, held in Dover each spring, shines a spotlight on the critical role manufacturers play in driving Delaware’s economy. The event features a keynote from Delaware’s governor and the opportunity to network with plant managers, manufacturing professionals, and state and local policymakers. The conference also includes the reveal of the annual Coolest Thing Made in Delaware winner.

APRIL 28, 2026

Navigating Delaware Pathways Held every April, Navigating Delaware Pathways: An Education & Workforce Development Summit is a full-day experience designed to unite educators, higher education professionals, and employers in a comprehensive exploration of education and workforce development. The program also honors the Superstars in Education & Training winners during a lunchtime award ceremony.

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MAY 2026 End-of-Session Policy Conference The End-of-Session Policy Conference highlights key bills before the General Assembly, with first-hand insights from the policymakers who introduced and sponsored them. A key highlight of the event is hearing directly from House and Senate leadership on recent activity in their respective chambers.

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Upcoming Events in WHAT’S NEXT?

2 0 2 6

Join us at our next event!

Fill up your calendar and see our upcoming events by scanning here:

SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

OCTOBER 8, 2026

32nd Annual Chamber Chase Golf Tournament

Developing Delaware Conference

Chamber Chase supports the DE Employers & Employees Voter Education Fund, a 501(c)(4) affiliate of the State Chamber, which educates voters about key issues and candidates and distributes educational election materials.

Held each fall, Developing Delaware brings economic development conversations to the forefront — tackling topics like site readiness, retail, housing, broadband access, and more — to fuel solutions for our state’s economic future.

NOVEMBER 10, 2026 28th Annual Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business Awards Luncheon The Superstars in Business awards luncheon honors eight outstanding businesses and nonprofit organizations for their achievements and impact. The event also features the presentation of the prestigious Marvin S. Gilman Bowl, recognizing an individual who has made significant contributions to Delaware’s business community.

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*All 2026 events are subject to changes.

Additional events will be added as they are scheduled. Visit the State Chamber’s online calendar for the most accurate and up-to-date calendar.

DECEMBER 2026 The Taste of Delaware Every year, we travel to Washington, D.C., alongside our honorary host, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons. Taste of Delaware highlights the First State’s culinary standouts, offering a delicious sampling of the flavors that make the First State truly unique.

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We are proud to provide Superior Service with Personal Attention to Delaware Homeowners and Businesses.

• Homeowners • Landlords • Renters • Business Owners One Avenue of the Arts • Wilmington, De 19801

DELAWARE

Deep Dive

A podcast for our members, featuring the experts—our members!

A PODCAST BY THE

AVAILABLE ON:

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SHEET METAL WORKERS’ INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION LOCAL UNION NO. 19 Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19 represents over 4,300 skilled and licensed workers throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

BRYAN J. BUSH

President/Business Manager

GERARD E. GONTZ

LUKE GORDON

Assistant Business Manager/ Business Agent

THOMAS BUSH

Assistant Business Manager/ Business Agent

TODD P. FARALLY Recording Secretary

Financial Secretary Treasurer/ Business Agent

MICHAEL SULLIVAN Vice President

BUSINESS AGENTS BRYON A. BLUM

ROBERT GADSBY

BILL DORWARD

MICHAEL GUIGLEY

JOSEPH DOWNING

JAMES KEENAN, III PETER O’BRIEN

HOWARD VANBUREN, III

ORGANIZERS JAMES ATTI

BRIAN HEINO

MICHAEL DOUGHERTY, JR.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

ERIC SILCOX STEPHEN LOCH

TRUSTEES

ADAM BARZESKI

NIKOLAS LANKELIS

BRIAN CUMMISKEY

KEITH MEYER

JOSHUA THOMAS

EDWARD SPARKS

DISPATCHER

RAHMAN CARTER

ERIC MASINO

ROBERT DAVIES

WILLIAM J. PFEIFFER

BRETT HILDEBRAND

JOSHUA TURNER

WILLIAM FIEL

GEORGE KAUFFMAN

BRIAN LOGAN

NATASHA SCOTT

JAMES SEXTON

CONDUCTOR 1301 South Columbus Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19147

215.952.1999 • SMARTLU19.org

RONALD CAMPBELL

WARDEN DANIEL DIORIO

DELAWARE BUSINESS

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CALL THE CHAMBER The State Chamber of Commerce staff works for you, serving our member companies and organizations statewide.

This State Chamber staff directory lists phone numbers and email addresses, as well as individual areas of responsibility.

If you need business assistance or information, please don’t hesitate to call.

Michael J. Quaranta President

Kelly Basile Chief Operating Officer (302) 576-6564 kbasile@dscc.com

Danielle Blake Vice President, Member Engagement (302) 576-6571 dblake@dscc.com

Melissa Brayman Director, Administration & Finance (302) 576-6572 mbrayman@dscc.com

Regina Donato Director, Communications (302) 576-6567 rdonato@dscc.com

Damon Howard Manager, Digital & Print Advertising (302) 576-6579 dhoward@dscc.com

Dae’Shawn Nixon Director, Delaware State Chamber Foundation (302) 576-6575 dnixon@dscc.com

Evan Park Vice President, Government Relations (302) 576-6590 epark@dscc.com

Amanda Schimmel Manager, Marketing & Accounting (302) 576-6560 aschimmel@dscc.com

Kerri Welcher Manager, Events (302) 576-6566 kwelcher@dscc.com

Tori Will Manager, Administrative & Member Support (302) 576-6576 twill@dscc.com

(302) 576-6585 mquaranta@dscc.com

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DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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1201 N. Orange Street, P.O. Box 671 Wilmington, DE 19899-0671 (302) 655-7221 www.dscc.com

Facebook: DelawareStateChamber X: DEStateChamber Linkedin: Delaware State Chamber of Commerce YouTube: DEStateChamber Instagram: DEStateChamber

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting an economic climate that strengthens the competitiveness of Delaware businesses and benefits citizens of the state. Founded in 1837 as the Wilmington Board of Trade, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce has a long history as the largest, most influential business organization in the state. The State Chamber is uniquely positioned to bring parties together to solve problems, create jobs, promote business, and improve the quality of life for all Delawareans.

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New Castle County Vocational Technical School District

Educating Our State’s Future Workforce 40 career areas Industry-recognized credentials Credits toward apprenticeships and/or college Cooperative employment opportunities during senior year Robust offerings for adult learners Partnerships with more than 400 local businesses

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EDUCATE EARLY, HIRE SMART, & EMBRACE ALL

Join us in reshaping the structure of our industry.

BUILDING WHAT MATTERS

Construction Management | General Construction | Design-Build | Interiors Pre-Engineered Solutions | BIM www.EDiSCompany.com | (800) 995-EDiS

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