each year. The nonprofit is also poised for growth with plans to expand into the Polytech School District next year. The expansion would be funded by the Delaware Department of Labor with a goal to create a “robust work experience program” that partners with local businesses. Blake also plans to implement internship opportunities and shape new programs to help prepare students who decide that college isn’t their path of choice. The pandemic significantly affected underserved youth not just financially but emotionally. As a result, the nonprofit hired a clinical social worker to address the needs of both the students and staff. Although the pandemic has presented its challenges, Blake prefers to consider the moment as an opportunity to build a stronger support system for their students as they look beyond the scope of education and into mental health and well-being. Blake summarizes, “My heart has always been with underserved youth—I was one of those kids. When I retired, I thought what can I do to give back? Honestly, I am thrilled every single day that I get to do this because I know that I’m helping to change the life of someone that deserves it. To me, it can’t get any better than that.” Sydney Mason interned for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce during the spring semester of her junior year. She is a communications major at the University of Delaware.
DELAWARE BUSINESS
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Ma y / Ju ne 2022
LaMotte Company Chooses Newark for Manufacturing and R&D Expansion CONTRIBUTED BY DELAWARE PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP LaMotte Company, a leading producer of water-quality testing instrumentation and reagents, headquartered in Chestertown, Maryland, has chosen Newark, Delaware, as the site for its expansion. Sales growth has prompted LaMotte to increase its manufacturing and research and development capacity. The company plans to invest $3.3 million to build out lab space at its new location in Pencader Corporate Center. The 79,000-square-foot site will also include office and production space. “We are working hard to make Delaware more competitive so that we can compete and win every day,” said Governor John Carney. “That means making sure we have the best environment so businesses like LaMotte Company can grow and thrive here in Delaware. We are excited for this expansion and the new jobs it will bring. This investment shows that Delaware remains in demand for manufacturing and innovative development.” LaMotte will hire more than 50 employees immediately with future plans to have more than 100 people working at the site within three years. Positions will include skilled technicians, production line and warehouse workers, administrative positions, and engineers and chemists. Proximity to the intellectual resources of the University of Delaware was a key reason for LaMotte’s choice of Newark, Delaware, over other Mid-Atlantic
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locations. The company intends to collaborate with the university’s College of Engineering and Lerner College of Business to develop an internship and employee pipeline. It also plans to partner with Delaware’s vocational high schools and Delaware Technical Community College to address its needs for technician and manufacturing personnel. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, LaMotte has manufactured specialized pH indicators and other analytical reagents for water-quality analysis worldwide since 1919. Today, the company produces analytical reagents, electronic instrumentation, and complete portable test kits for chemical analysis for hundreds of applications to serve the pool and spa; drinking water; industrial water; environmental science education; food and beverage; laundry and sanitation; water and wastewater; and aquarium and fish farming industries. “We are thrilled to continue our expansion plans culminating in this investment in Delaware,” said LaMotte President and CEO Scott Amsbaugh. “The Newark location is highly valuable for us given the skilled and educated local workforce and its proximity to global shipping hubs. This investment is critical in our capacity expansion to meet our customers’ growing demands for LaMotte’s products.” Delaware Prosperity Partnership began working with LaMotte in June 2021 on its site selection process.
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