Author: Delaware Prosperity Partnership

DE Helps Region Earn Tech Hub Status

Written on . Posted in In the News.

Delaware Part of Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub Designated by Biden-Harris Administration

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Area is one of 31 selected from nearly 400 applicants, is identified as ‘primed for technological innovation and job creation’ under President’s Investing in America agenda

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced the designation of 31 Tech Hubs in regions across the country, including the Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech hub encompassing Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

This is the first phase of the new Tech Hubs program, which is an economic development initiative designed to drive regional innovation and job creation by strengthening a region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize and deploy technology that will advance American competitiveness. The program invests directly in burgeoning, high-potential U.S. regions and aims to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers.

The Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub, led by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA, aims to become a global leader in end-to-end precision medicine. This Tech Hub will leverage the region’s density of life sciences assets and research and development expertise to weave together disparate technology applications: biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, synthetic biology supported by artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and more. Together, these tech-enabled efforts will deliver new ways to diagnose, prevent and treat disease, increasing evidence-based technology applications that improve morbidity and mortality and decrease health disparities.

Tech Hubs was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which he signed into law in August 2022. Winners are located across 32 states and Puerto Rico and represent a cross-section of urban and rural regions. Designation is an endorsement of the region’s plans to supercharge their respective technological industries to create jobs, strengthen U.S. competitiveness and protect national security. The Tech Hubs focus on industries ranging from autonomous systems, quantum computing, biotechnology, precision medicine, clean energy advancement, semiconductor manufacturing and more, and they highlight how the Biden-Harris Administration is investing in innovation and economic growth in every region of the United States.

The Phase 1 winners were selected from nearly 400 applications from regional consortia that include industry, academia, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners. As part of the Tech Hubs competition, each consortium outlined plans for strengthening its region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize and deploy critical technologies.

These designated Tech Hubs may now apply to receive between $40 million and $70 million each for implementation funding, totaling nearly $500 million.

Read the full Tech Hubs announcement release here.

Read more about the Tech Hubs program here.

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RiKarbon Chooses to Grow in Delaware

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Homegrown environmental solutions firm RiKarbon chooses to continue growing in Newark, Delaware

Expansion of early-stage business focusing on carbon capture and utilization includes quadrupling lab space and creating 12 new full-time Delaware jobs

WILMINGTON, Del. (October 23, 2023) – RiKarbon Inc., an early-stage company specializing in developing innovative technologies for carbon capture and utilization, has chosen to continue growing in its hometown of Newark, Delaware, with an expansion from its Delaware Technology Park incubator space to nearby Delaware Industrial Park.

RiKarbon was founded in 2018 with support from a federal Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the Department of Energy and a mission to develop and commercialize sustainable proprietary technologies that capture and repurpose carbon emissions. The company has grown steadily since then, winning a 2019 Tech Connect Innovation Award, receiving several Delaware Technology Innovation Program Grants and outgrowing its 600 square feet of laboratory space in the startup incubator of Delaware Technology Park.

To maintain the momentum of its growth so far, RiKarbon will renovate and fit out 2,540 square feet of new chemical research and development lab space in a former electronic device manufacturing facility on Dawson Drive in Delaware Industrial Park. The company also will add 12 full-time positions to its current roster of six full-time employees and two part-time employees.

“We’re pleased that RiKarbon Inc. – a recognized leader in carbon capture – has chosen to expand in Delaware,” said Governor John Carney. “The company that started in a Delaware Technology Park incubator space will quadruple its square footage and add full-time jobs to continue to make Delaware a leader in the environmental space.”

The larger facility and staff will allow RiKarbon to continue its commercial scaleup of 100% bio-based oils for emollients to formulate personal care products, bio-poly-alpha-olefin base oils for performance lubricants, products for upcycled plastics manufacturing and other cost-competitive offerings for domestic and international markets. A recently announced partnership with BASF – the world’s largest chemical producer – includes bringing one of its emollient products to market by 2024. The company also has received letters of intent from global customers to deliver products and is now raising investment funding to do so.

“Congratulations to Delaware’s own RiKarbon, born right here in the First State, on their continued growth in the field of carbon capture,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “It’s with great pride that we can say this company was incubated right here in Newark and has chosen to continue to expand where the talent lies, right here in Delaware.”

Delaware Prosperity Partnership supported RiKarbon’s request to the Council on Development Finance for a Graduated Lab Space Grant of up to $34,000 and a Jobs Performance Grant of up to $26,000 from the Delaware Strategic Fund. Distribution of these grants is dependent upon the company meeting commitments as outlined to the CDF, which reviewed and approved RiKarbon’s request.

“We are recreating similar ingredients that we use every day in our shampoo, conditioner, facial products or automotive engines, but making them in a socially responsible way from organic wastes that are causing environmental challenges globally,” said Basudeb Saha, president and CEO, RiKarbon. “It is very satisfying that we are able to deliver green and upcycled products to our customers to promote health and environmental efficacy while tackling climate challenges.”

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About Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Created in 2017, Delaware Prosperity Partnership (choosedelaware.com) is the nonprofit public/private organization that leads Delaware’s statewide economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and support private employers in identifying, recruiting and developing talent.

About RiKarbon

RiKarbon (rikarbon.com) develops technologies for cost-competitive renewable products that use non-conventional and typically unused carbon feedstocks to serve the domestic and international specialty and performance chemicals market.

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Evernorth Will Grow Accredo In Delaware

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Evernorth Health Services to Expand Operations in Delaware with New 200,000-Square-Foot Specialty Pharmacy and Distribution Facility

WILMINGTON, Del. –  Evernorth Health Services, The Cigna Group’s health services business, has chosen Newark, Delaware, as the location of a new approximately 200,000-square-foot specialty pharmacy and distribution facility. Within the facility, Accredo, Evernorth’s specialty pharmacy, will dispense lifesaving medications to patients across the Northeast. Additionally, Evernorth intends for its specialty pharmaceutical distributor, CuraScript SD, to operate from the facility alongside Accredo and distribute specialty medications to health care providers who treat rare and complex conditions.

The Newark, Delaware, facility will expand and replace Accredo’s existing location in New Castle, Delaware, which it has operated since 2007. The facility will be staffed by nearly 90 existing Delaware employees consisting of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, warehouse associates, operations staff and more. Evernorth anticipates more than doubling the number of Delaware employees at the Newark facility over the next several years. These employees are dedicated to supporting patients diagnosed with some of the most rare and complex conditions known today, as well as providers who help treat these patients.

“Delaware is a health care hub for the Mid-Atlantic region. That’s one of the reasons Evernorth chose Delaware to grow their existing specialty pharmacy services and fulfillment facility,” said Governor John Carney. “We are pleased Evernorth plans to make a significant investment in the First State to expand their operations, which will enable the company to retain and add jobs over the next several years.”

“Congratulations to Accredo on their expansion in New Castle County,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “Increasing job opportunities here in the first county in the First State is important to continue to make our state a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Delaware Prosperity Partnership supported Evernorth’s request to Delaware’s Council on Development Finance for a Jobs Retention Grant, a Jobs Performance Grant, a Capital Expenditure Grant and a matching Training Grant.

“This new facility will help us meet the growing demand and need for specialty medications, which have risen by 280% over the past two decades,” said Matt Perlberg, President, Pharmacy, Evernorth Health Services. “Evernorth is a leader in specialty pharmacy, dispensing millions of medications to patients and providers every year. As more complex medications come to market in the years ahead, our expanding location in Delaware will enable us to more efficiently and effectively distribute these lifesaving medications to individuals throughout the country, particularly in the Northeast.”

“Delaware has been home to one of our Accredo specialty pharmacy facilities for many years, and we look forward to deepening and expanding our ties in the community as we develop our new location,” said Perlberg.

About Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Created in 2017, Delaware Prosperity Partnership (choosedelaware.com) is the nonprofit public/private organization that leads Delaware’s statewide economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and support private employers in identifying, recruiting and developing talent.

About Evernorth Health Services

Evernorth Health Services creates pharmacy, care and benefits solutions to improve health and increase vitality. We relentlessly innovate to make the prediction, prevention and treatment of illness and disease more accessible to millions of people. Evernorth capabilities are powered by our businesses, including Express Scripts, Express Scripts® Pharmacy, Accredo, CuraScript SD, eviCore and MDLIVE, along with holistic Evernorth platforms and solutions that move people and organizations forward. All Evernorth solutions are serviced and provided by or through operating affiliates of Evernorth Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), or third-party partners. Learn more at evernorth.com.

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$750M Grant Funds DE/PA/NJ Hydrogen Hub

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Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub Wins $750 Million Federal Grant

Delaware/Pennsylvania/New Jersey Clean Energy Collaboration Will Bring 10,000 New Jobs to Region

The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) has been approved for $750 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program – one of just seven hubs so funded nationwide.

MACH2 aims to reduce pollution – particularly for frontline communities experiencing the “first and worst” environmental consequences – and advance clean energy. With a network of hydrogen producers, consumers and infrastructure throughout Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey, MACH2 will create more than 10,000 jobs in the production, delivery and use of zero-emission green and pink hydrogen for industrial, transportation and agricultural uses. It also will further Delaware’s prominence in the clean energy economy.

According to Delaware Governor John Carney, who co-chairs the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) Board of Directors, Delaware companies and institutions already have led on hydrogen and now will play a key role in this initiative.

Photo illustration by David Barczak

“This is a big deal,” Carney said. “Hydrogen is a clean fuel of the future, one of the ways we can pollute less. Our region has been chosen for a federal infusion of hundreds of millions of dollars that will create thousands of jobs and show how hydrogen can be made, transported and used in a real-world way. When we have talked about the opportunities for Delaware from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law championed by President Biden and our Congressional delegation, this has been one of the big ones, and we got it. I’m looking forward to getting to work with our partners in the region.”

Dora Cheatham and the Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Association (DESCA) were among the critical organizations that spearheaded development of the winning proposal and public-private regional collaboration structures. Delaware partners – including DPP – worked alongside entities in Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey on this winning plan. DPP, a proud member of the MACH2 collective, was able to financially support the more than year-long process that will have a substantive impact in Delaware and region for years to come. The October 13 announcement is another milestone in furthering DPP’s mission of advancing prosperity for all Delawareans.

“The exciting news coming from the Department of Energy about MACH2’s selection as one of our nation’s hydrogen hubs is great for the region and tremendous for the State of Delaware,” said CSC President and CEO Rod Ward, who co-chairs the DPP Board with Governor Carney. “DPP’s investment in the initiative made a lot of sense at the onset of the process. That forethought will help advance our region’s economic and environmental goals, positively impact families who live in environmentally challenged neighborhoods and provide more well-paying jobs for individuals who are part of our state’s workforce.”

The White House release about the grant awards is here. 

Additional details about MACH2 are here. 

An article about the University of Delaware’s role in the initiative is here. 

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Delmarva Chicken Industry at 100 Years

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Delmarva chicken industry celebrates 100th birthday

2023 also marks 75th anniversary of Delmarva Chicken Association

The Delmarva Chicken Association (DCA) was founded in 1948. That same year, chicken farmers nationwide turned an eager eye toward Georgetown, Delaware. After a three-year nationwide search, the Chicken of Tomorrow contest winner would be announced at the first Delmarva Chicken Festival.

The contest’s goal? Create a better breed of broiler chicken.

California-based Vantress Hatchery received the $5,000 first prize, but the Delmarva Peninsula’s farmers were already winners. The industry for broilers, which are raised for meat rather than eggs, had been born in Delaware in 1923, and a meatier bird would assuredly boost the state’s output and stature.

Today, the $5 billion-a-year Delmarva chicken industry encompasses more than 1,300 family farmers, 18,000 poultry company employees and hundreds of related businesses for 50,000 total jobs. Such vitality, according to the DCA, is cause for celebration.

Throughout 2023, the trade association has been marking the centennial of this key Delaware agriculture sector’s founding along its own 75th anniversary. Its “Growing for 100 Years” campaign illustrates the evolution and impact of the industry and the DCA’s work. To culminate the festivities, the Delmarva Chicken Festival is returning for a one-time event from 1 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland.

“Our focus and the way we serve our members,” notes James Fisher, DCA communications manager, “have changed so much over the years.”

An Advantageous Error

It all started in 1923 when Cecile Steele of Ocean View, Delaware, ordered 50 chicks from Vernon Steen’s Hatchery in Dagsboro. Like most women in rural areas, Steele raised chickens for eggs.

The rare chicken dinner was a tough rooster or a hen that no longer produced eggs. Young, tender chicken was a high-priced luxury item.

But Steen’s hatchery sent Steele 500 chicks instead of 50, and she opted to raise them for meat. It was a daring move at the time.

Eighteen weeks later, Steele had 387 surviving chickens weighing about 2¼ to 2½ pounds, which she sold for 62 cents a pound — about $11 a pound in today’s dollars. The budding entrepreneur ordered 1,000 chicks in 1924. By 1928, she was selling 26,000 birds a year.

Plagued by a series of crop blights, neighboring farmers followed in her footsteps. “There was a receptive audience in Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia,” Fisher says.

A Better Chicken

But a chicken dinner remained too pricy for most consumers, and the Greater Atlantic & Pacific Co. — better known as A&P — and poultry grower influencers decided to do something about it. Enter the Chicken of Tomorrow contest.

The industry wanted a bird with more white meat and larger drumsticks than were typical among the speckled Barred Rock breed favored for eggs and meat at the time. The contest succeeded by leading to the white-plumed bird that is so common today.

While the contest results interested agricultural experts, the first festival’s parade, pageant fireworks and food appealed to the public. When held as an annual event, the festival’s activities continued to be a draw.

For instance, in 1950, the Delmarva Chicken Festival unveiled a 400-pound, 10-foot-wide frying pan capable of cooking a half-ton of chicken. The gargantuan pan was retired in 1987 and donated to the Georgetown Historical Society, where it remains in a museum collection.

Changing Times

In 1962, almost all chicken was sold as whole birds. Thirty years later, parts — breasts, thighs, wings — dominated sales. Also in 1962, farmers sold their flocks at auction. But, increasingly, companies like Perdue Farms began contracting farmers to grow for them, creating a vertical integration system that remains today.

Although the number of Delmarva growers has dropped, technology and efficient business practices have helped the industry do more with fewer growers, Fisher says. For example, it takes 75% fewer resources to produce chickens today than it had in the 1960s, and 95% of poultry litter is now recycled and reused as crop fertilizer.

As the industry changed, so did the DCA, which formerly was known as Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc. The trade organization focuses on advocacy, education and outreach to its 1,600 members and promotes initiatives such as a vegetative environmental buffers program and an electric buying group.

The labor-intensive annual festival ceased after the 2014 event, but Fisher says people never stopped asking about it. So the trade association’s 75th anniversary seemed to be the perfect time to bring it back for one day.

The DCA is working with the Greater Salisbury Committee, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and the Wicomico Farm Bureau to organize the event, which will feature local food trucks, vendors and children’s activities. The Jones Boys, Jimmy Charles and Mike Hines & The Look will perform live music throughout the day.

Teams from Delmarva’s five chicken companies — Allen Harim Foods, Amick Farms, Mountaire Farms, Perdue Farms and Tyson — will compete in Chicken Capers contests, a medley of field day-style games. The event also will include historical and educational exhibits paying tribute to an industry that drives Delaware’s economic engine.

Sussex County still has more broiler farms than any county in the country, and it all started with Mrs. Steele.

“It’s not often you can trace an entire way of farming or a sector to one person,” Fisher says. “We want to make sure that agriculture and farming don’t lose a place on Delmarva because it’s so important to our history, culture, economy and the way we eat.”

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Liam Fitzgerald, Co-Founder of Connect2Co

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Liam Fitzgerald, Co-Founder of Digital Workspace Firm Connect2Co

An Ongoing Series Highlighting Delaware Innovators

Liam Fitzgerald believes many businesses have a lack of cross-departmental clarity, an inability for executives to make strategic decisions and a lack of overall workplace morale. This belief led to the creation – with co-founder Robbie Parisius – of Connect2Co, which describes itself as “the future of productive work.”

“As a founder, my objective is to improve communication and collaboration, implement sustainable practices into companies of all sizes and drastically improve scalability in startups for fellow founders to reach their goals more effectively,” says Fitzgerald, whose company vision is to “transform the digital workspace into something that is engaging and meaningful, data-driven and efficient.”

Connect2Co won a 2023 $100,000 Encouraging Development, Growth & Expansion (EDGE) Grant from the Delaware Division of Small Business to support the growth of a business-to-business platform that enables businesses of all sizes to manage, optimize and collaborate with other companies. The tool essentially enables customers to operate a digital workspace from one central location, eliminating the need for toggling between various applications such as Gmail, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and Salesforce.

Fitzgerald spoke to Delaware Prosperity Partnership about his views on innovation in Delaware and his advice to hungry innovators.

Why is Delaware a great state to be an innovator?

Delaware’s ecosystem of entrepreneurs and business professionals – and government entities driven by their ability to support small businesses and systems by providing access to vital resources and people – make Delaware a “Goldilocks zone” for innovation and innovators alike. Small businesses account for more than 98% of the businesses in Delaware, employing over 55% of the workforce. This supports the obvious presence of a breeding ground for entrepreneurs to provide value to each other in a multitude of ways.

In your view, what qualities should a successful innovator have?

  • Successful innovators have core qualities that define their success:

  • Understanding in the form of malleability. The presence of individual identity should not supersede an entrepreneur’s ability to listen to others in relation to feedback, criticism and support. Innovators must be sure in their mission and overarching objective but must simultaneously be willing to change course and pivot as their business or venture progresses. Communication and understanding are vital to improvement. Even if feedback is not used, shared perspectives give clarity to beautiful ideas and ventures.

  • Innovators must be leaders. Successful entrepreneurs and thinkers have different personality types. Some can lead in a school of thought, industry or field. Some are great managers who can realize the dormant abilities of their team and empower them to excel personally and within their organization. Some lack these qualities, but lead in their relentless persistence, drive and hunger to solve problems and create/offer solutions. Ideally all three leadership qualities should be evident in the perfect leader, but the third quality (persistence) will inevitably allow them to penetrate the market and achieve the other two qualities.

  • Innovators must have ideas or systems that are better than those that previously existed. This may be evident in the form of improvement to solutions, products and systems that already exist; innovative and cutting-edge solutions/products or services that do not exist; or the enablement of team members to realize their full potential and, in turn, bring their ideas to light. The ability to execute on these ideas is what differentiates thinkers from doers.

What advice would you give innovators just starting?

  • Understand your why, then your what, then your how. Figure out your purpose for your venture, then what you will offer and then dissect how you will fulfill what you will offer.

  • Plan with the objective to execute. You can write business plans, forecast your expenses and your revenue, create feasibility analysis and research statistics on your market, industry and customers, but nothing will come close to talking to your target customers. If I analyze what I did wrong and right, I can truly say that the best practice is to find an idea, talk to people you trust to establish preliminary validity of the idea, build part of the idea and start showing it to these people and getting users to test it.

  • Rinse and repeat this process incrementally, and your idea will grow into a tangible thing. Your customer/communication base will also increase. Creating or building something people want enables you to figure out if an idea is worth pursuing. This should be done in a way that the person/group you are targeting is so compelled by the product that their want becomes a need. Turning wants into needs creates urgency and encourages retention. This, however, depends highly on the target market and customer segment you are selling to. Luxury goods are attractive due to their exclusivity and scarcity – taking advantage of the want factor. Commodity goods like toothpaste and soap are attractive due to their necessity. Services offered, solutions developed or products created, however, can initially be something the consumer wants that, after use, makes them realize they need it (such as iPhone, Gmail, CRM Systems).

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PCOnline Spinoff EtailFlow Chooses DE

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PCOnline Chooses Newark, Delaware, for Location of Strategic Spinoff for Supply Chain Management

EtailFlow expansion creating at least 45 new jobs over next three years

WILMINGTON, Del. – EtailFlow LLC, a supply chain management company created as a strategic spinoff from Delaware-based national ecommerce leader PCOnline earlier this year, will grow its operations alongside its parent company in Newark, Delaware.

PCOnline leadership actively searched sites in Delaware and throughout the region for a new location to grow EtailFlow before selecting space adjacent to its 80-employee headquarters in Prides Crossing off Route 4. The EtailFlow facility will feature a fulfillment center; a fully customized ERP system, including a smart warehouse; fulfillment of Seller-Fulfilled Prime orders; Fulfilled by Amazon preparation services; direct business-to-consumer orders; purchasing agent services; and return processing services.

With this breadth of services and a pipeline of business with projected year-over-year revenue increases of 20%, EtailFlow plans to add at least 45 jobs to its current Delaware staff of two during the next three years. These full-time positions will include warehouse staff, technicians, workshop operators and logistic specialists.

“We’re pleased that EtailFlow LLC is expanding their operations and creating new jobs in Newark,” said Governor John Carney. “We remain committed to helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses here in Delaware. This decision reaffirms that Delaware is the ideal place for businesses to thrive.”

PCOnline was founded in a home garage in Newark by two University of Delaware graduate students in 2015 as an ecommerce business to resell computers on Amazon. Since then, the company has become the top Amazon reseller in the PC category and expanded onto the Walmart Marketplace and Newegg Marketplace platforms while developing relationships with most major computer manufacturers.

PCOnline grew nearly 300% in revenue from 2020 to 2022. In recognition, the company received a 2022 Blue Hen 17&43 Award as the fastest-growing company led by UD alumni and ranked #3 on the 2022 Philadelphia100 Forum 100 Fastest Growing Companies list.

As part of that growth, the company expanded from its focus on ecommerce to providing additional supply chain services. In 2023, the decision was made to spin off those services – distribution, logistics and warehousing – from PCOnline’s main business into EtailFlow.

“EtailFlow LLC’s expansion in Delaware is a testament to PCOnline’s commitment to growth and innovation,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “As they set their sights on new horizons, they exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship and the opportunities that are here in the First State.”

Delaware Prosperity Partnership supported EtailFlow’s request to the Council on Development Finance for a Jobs Performance Grant of up to $155,970 from the Delaware Strategic Fund. Distribution of these grants is dependent upon the company meeting commitments as outlined to the CDF, which reviewed and approved the request.

“At EtailFlow, our core mission is to redefine the supply chain industry while leaving a meaningful impact on our community,” said Charles Zhang, chief executive officer, EtailFlow. “We are dedicated to generating more employment prospects for our local community, ultimately infusing vitality in the Delaware economy.”

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About Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Created in 2017, Delaware Prosperity Partnership (choosedelaware.com) is the nonprofit public/private organization that leads Delaware’s statewide economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and support private employers in identifying, recruiting and developing talent.

About EtailFlow LLC

EtailFlow is a leading supply chain management company focusing on efficiently distributing electronic goods. With a strong emphasis on quality, reliability and customer satisfaction, EtailFlow offers a comprehensive suite of services that includes purchasing services, add-on-value services and logistics.

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WDEL campaign highlights Delaware business

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WDEL campaign highlights Delaware business

Radio spots and ‘Del-Aware’ interviews discuss DPP’s role and activities, statewide successes

May 13, 2024

A new partnership between Delaware Prosperity Partnership and WDEL 1150 AM/101.7 FM Radio pairs on-air interviews of key players in Delaware’s economic development and innovation ecosystems with Prosperity Power Minute public service announcements about the benefits of doing business in Delaware and :30 spots on related topics. All of these support DPP’s role as a salesforce for Delaware and showcase the leadership, service and impact that the statewide economic development organization provides to the Delaware business community.

The partnership launched in September 2023 and is continuing through 2024. The PSAs and ad spots have had more than 500 cumulative airings, focusing on topics such as DPP’s choosedelaware.com and livelovedelaware.com websites, good economic news and Delaware’s business superlatives, industry sector statistics and innovative entrepreneurs.

The live interviews are part of the “Del-Aware” morning programming hosted by Peter MacArthur and included conversations with:

  • DPP President and CEO Kurt Foreman (September 2023)
  • DPP Director of Innovation Noah Olson (October 2023)
  • 2018-23 DPP Board member Patrick Callahan of Labware (November 2023)
  • University of Delaware blue technology scientist Rob Nicholson (December 2023)
  • Startup302 winner Laura Randa of Toivoa — Part 1 , Part 2 —  (January 2024)
  • Prelude Therapeutics Founder and CEO Kris Vaddi — Part 1, Part 2 — (February 2024)
  • Startup302 winner Chris Morris of Rush Roto (March 2024)
  • SPI Pharma Lewes Site General Manager Bryan Winship and DPP Director of Existing Business Engagement and Talent  Charles A. Madden (April 2024)
  • Delaware BioScience Association President Michael Fleming (May 2024)
  • DPP Senior Manager, Business Development, Megan Kopistecki (June 2024)
  • Dowtown Dover Partnership Executive Director Diane Laird (July 2024)

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What the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is Delivering for Delaware

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US Infrastructure Bill will revitalize Delaware’s transportation systems

The November 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, spearheaded by President Biden and Vice President Harris, promises to revitalize Delaware’s transportation systems. With a focus on climate change mitigation, safety, equity, and resilience, this historic legislation is set to usher in a new era of progress for Delaware’s public transportation.

Repairing and Rebuilding Roads and Bridges will revitalize Delaware’s surface transportation systems

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law addresses the dire state of Delaware’s roads and bridges. With 19 bridges and over 253 miles of highways needing repair, this legislation is the largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. Delaware stands to receive approximately $1.4 billion over five years for highway and bridge repairs, representing a significant increase in federal funding. In addition, Delaware can also expect to receive approximately $27 million over five years in formula funding to reduce transportation-related emissions.

Enhancing Safety

Safety is a crucial aspect of the transportation infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests billions directly into improving roadway safety, which also installs programs to help improve driver behavior, and reduce deaths and injuries from motor vehicle-related crashes. Local governments can also access funding through the Safe Streets for All program to reduce crashes and fatalities, with a particular focus on protecting cyclists and pedestrians.

Improving Public Transportation will revitalize Delaware’s public transportation systems

By increasing accessibility and efficiency, Delaware aims to promote sustainable transportation while improving equity in communities where non-White households are more likely to depend on public transit. The state is expected to receive approximately $186 million over five years to enhance public transportation options and address the outdated transit vehicles and help reduce commuting times for residents.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law emphasizes the need to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) to combat the climate crisis. To support this shift, Delaware will receive around $18 million over five years to expand its EV charging network. This funding is part of a $7.5 billion national investment to build the first-ever EV charger network across the United States. By encouraging the adoption of EVs, Delaware will reduce carbon emissions and support domestic manufacturing jobs.

Modernizing Rail and Air Travel

The law includes significant investments in passenger and freight rail, benefiting Delaware’s transportation system. The provision of $102 billion aims to eliminate the Amtrak maintenance backlog and modernize the Northeast Corridor while extending rail service to areas beyond the northeast and mid-Atlantic. In addition, Delaware’s airports will receive approximately $6 million over five years for infrastructure development, ensuring the improvement of runways, terminal development, airfield safety, and noise reduction projects.

Revitalizing Delaware’s infrastructure and transportation systems

In conclusion, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law brings a new light to Delaware’s transportation infrastructure, addressing long-standing issues and driving progress across various sectors. With substantial funding allocations for road and bridge repairs, safety enhancements, public transportation improvements, EV infrastructure, and rail and air travel modernization, Delaware is poised for a transformative era. These investments will create good-paying jobs, enhance safety, reduce commute times, and promote sustainable transportation options, ultimately improving the lives of Delaware residents.

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United States of America Department of Transportation. (2022 April). The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Will Deliver for Delaware. https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-01/BIL_Delaware.pdf

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DE Project Wins $3.2M NIH IDeA Grant

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National Institutes of Health awards iRED University project $3.2 million IDeA Grant

Photo Illustration by Jeffrey C. Chase/University of Delaware

DESCA, University of Delaware and InsiteHub partnership will use funding to advance biomedical entrepreneurship in Delaware

WILMINGTON, Delaware – On August 21, 2023, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a grant through the IDeA Program to iRED University – a new collaboration between DESCA, the University of Delaware and InsiteHub – that will deliver an online entrepreneurial curriculum geared to early-stage innovators and startups that will help them identify their most viable applications as early as possible and subsequently connect them to the broader innovation and mentoring ecosystem. The program is funded through a three-year grant totalling up to $3.2 million, of which more than $980,000 will be directed to DESCA. The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant is now in Phase I, with follow-on funding expected in Phase II.

According to the National Science Board 2018 Science & Engineering Indicators, university invention disclosures totaled 22,507 in 2015 (compared to 13,718 in 2003) and patent applications almost doubled over the same period. In 2016 alone, over 6,600 patents in chemistry and the sciences were awarded – yet many of these patents never realize their full commercial value. iRED University aims to change that.

The iRED University team is working on a simple premise: in order to increase the number of patents and innovations commercialized, we need to increase the funnel of viable technology startups at the front end, and in order to do that we need to meet the very specific and unique needs of technology driven innovators. iRED University will be delivered through a rigorous and engaging online curriculum that will be critical to supporting the project goals and bridging the gap of sufficient training and knowledge for innovators in the biomedical field through a high-availability on-demand learner experience platform. The curriculum will lead innovators from ideation, identifying market gaps, to execution of a product strategy that translates customer requirements into effective commercial execution of new products. The platform will also provide the ability to assess participants at the point of registration and allow them to develop and access a personalized curriculum that can be customized for their specific gaps. This helps both new and experienced innovators to focus on areas of need and provide direct learning interventions.

The product will be initially launched in Delaware and will be open to the entire Northeast when launched. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) established the IDeA (Institutional Development Award) Program in 1993 to broaden the geographic distribution of NIH funding and enhance competitiveness for funding in states with historically low NIH funding. The states that fall within the Northeast Region besides Delaware include Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Other regions include the Southeast Region (West Virginia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Missouri), Central Region (North & South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Omaha) and the Western Region (Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii).

The core team for this new partnership includes Dr. Julius Korley, Associate VP UD Office of Economic Innovation & Partnerships (OEIP), Louis DiNetta, Technology Business Development Manager Delaware Small Business Development Center SBDC, John Royer, CEO, Insite Hub, and Dora Cheatham, Executive Director, DESCA, and combines expertise in technology development and commercialization, online curriculum development and execution, business development and new product commercialization and SBIR/STTR expertise.

About DESCA

Formed in 2010, the mission of DESCA is to enable science innovators commercialize their technologies faster, as well as driving the new legacy of ChemTech. Today, DESCA has 3 key areas of focus around which it builds its programming:

    • Driving innovation and collaborative partnerships between major strategics, startups and universities;
    • Convening industry leaders in the public and private sectors on emerging issues and driving adoption of emerging trends & technologies that will be the key drivers of sustainability for the future;
    • Connecting students to industry and vice versa, with a goal of harmonizing the development of talent with the validated needs of industry.

    About OEIP

    The Office of Economic Innovations and Partnerships brings together the collective and integrated resources of the University of Delaware and the State’s business, academic and entrepreneurial communities to achieve new levels of innovation and economic development. The Office strives to:

    • Be the partner of choice in matters of economic development, commercialization of innovation, entrepreneurship and building businesses;
    • Enable entrepreneurs and innovators to accelerate ideas into the marketplace, grow businesses and form partnerships through access to University assets, space, capital, counsel and connections;
    • Deliver a unique, integrated model centered on long term, productive partnerships.
    • Support the University, state and region’s entrepreneurial, technical and business communities to reach new levels of economic development.
    • Create a culture where ideas and innovation thrive.

      About INSITE HUB

      • InsiteHub has been a provider of learning technology, medical education, and product training to the life science and medical device industries for over 10 years. InsiteHub has established itself as a leader by developing innovative learning technology solutions and earning key industry awards for application design and impact. In addition, InsiteHub’s platform was featured in an extensive Department of Education grant focused on researching student engagement at the university level. InsiteHubs’s instructional design paradigm is based on the ADDIE model whose steps include Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.

      About Delaware SBDC

      • For over 35 years, the “T” accredited DSBDC has assisted Delaware’s small businesses through information, counseling, and education. DSBDC’s technical assistance has resulted in more than 1,500+ new business starts, 4,200+ new jobs created (since inception), and $267M capital raised (since 2010). In 2009, DSBDC became only the eighth SBDC accredited as a “technology” designated program after demonstrating significant efforts to target and support Delaware’s technology-based businesses as well as its pivotal role as an essential connector and resource within the state’s entrepreneurial and technology ecosystems.

      This article was originally posted on the Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance website at: https://desca.net/f/desca-ud-insite-hub-win-3m-grant-to-advance-entrepreneurship

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      Patrick Callahan of LabWare

      Written on . Posted in Success Stories.

      Entrepreneur Patrick Callahan, Head of Data and Analytics for LabWare

      An Ongoing Series Highlighting Delaware Innovators

      LabWare’s acquisition of Patrick Callahan’s CompassRed data analytics firm in February 2022 started with a chance first encounter between Callahan and LabWare President and CEO Vance Kershner and Callahan at Buckley’s Tavern in Centreville.

      “Developing a relationship with Vance is the perfect example of things that happen in Delaware that just don’t happen anywhere else, in my opinion,” Callahan said. “We met over a bar stool.”

      Callahan built CompassRed into a visionary company in machine learning and predictive analytics. As head of data and analytics at LabWare, he is now developing a dedicated advanced data analytic arm as part of efforts to elevate the company’s position as the global leader in the laboratory information management market.

      Previously, the Drexel University and Widener School of Law graduate was a founding partner of The Archer Group. The award-winning, interactive internet marketing firm, founded in 2003, serves a diverse roster of clients in the financial services, retail, pharmaceutical and entertainment industries – including numerous Fortune 500 clients.

      Callahan also serves on the boards of several Delaware organizations. These include the Delaware Data Innovation Lab, the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, Girls on the Run and Delaware Prosperity Partnership.

      He spoke with DPP about innovation in Delaware and what it takes to innovate successfully.

      Why is Delaware a great state to be an innovator?

      I’m sure we’ve heard this a million times, but the accessibility to me is the big thing. If you’re looking to be in one of the best labs or chemical spaces, you can drive 40 feet and find people who are customers, thinkers, funders and legislators. There’s a reason why we have the biggest banking, biggest chemical companies and a lot of the other things right here in the Northeast corridor. When people talk about what made the country great, you can see that diversity here in the state – socioeconomic levels, education levels, diversity of thoughts and backgrounds.

      How I met Vance is a great example. You couldn’t just go to San Francisco and get a meeting with founders like Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) or Marc Andreessen (Mosaic, Netscape). You just don’t go to a restaurant, introduce yourself and then strike up a conversation there. That’s unheard of.

      In your view, what qualities should a successful innovator have?

      I think humility is one thing. If you’re humble, that means you’re always learning, you’re always trying to figure out things, and you’re always knowing you don’t have the answer. People who say, “I know the answer,” are the ones who nine times out of 10, don’t. Getting out there and meeting people is very, very important if you want to sell your product or address the problem that you’re trying to address. That could be over Zoom or in person, but curiosity about another person’s view and experiences is just so important. Expanding what we’re doing at LabWare requires me to get to know the customers in the labs and the end user of the product.

      Intellectual curiosity and the willingness to listen to someone no matter how different they are is something you can learn and build into your product and innovate.

      You can do that over Zoom. We’ve shown over the last two years that’s essential, and maybe even easier. Before COVID, we’d have meetups where only 30 or 40 people would show up in person. But during COVID, we’d get hundreds of people from all around the world, which would lead to follow-up calls. I don’t know if we’ll go back. We want to have a mixture of both because there are things you can learn on the side before the meeting.

      What advice would you give an innovator who’s just starting?

      First, go meet people, go to these meetups. Many are free, but I find myself asking if someone will spend $1 on it. To me, that is a good qualifier because if you give it to them for free, they won’t necessarily assign value to it. When we were doing these meetups, people would sign up but two-thirds of them wouldn’t show up. The minute we started charging $5 and giving the money away to a nonprofit, really engaged people showed up because they thought of it as value. If you’re providing value, you should get value back for it. It’s not just time.

      Second, follow your interest. Doing good is good for business. I feel passionate about Girls on the Run, but speaking at a networking event also landed Archer one of our largest clients. Don’t go into it thinking you’re going to get something out of it. Be genuine, but give back to the community – and encourage your team to do the same — and I’ll tell you, you’ll get it back tenfold. There are so many nonprofits in Delaware that do so many good things that you’ll meet your next customer, hear about the next important problem that you can help solve or just meet someone with a different perspective that will help you back at the office.

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      Agile Cold Chooses DE for $170M Facility

      Written on . Posted in Press Releases.

      Agile Cold Storage Chooses Delaware for $170M Cold-Storage Facility that will Bring 130 New Jobs to Claymont over Next Five Years

      WILMINGTON, Del. – Georgia-based Agile Cold Storage has chosen Claymont, Delaware, as the location for a 275,000-square-foot cold-storage facility to help meet growing demand from North American food manufacturers, processers and growers. The project will create 130 new jobs and involve capital investment of more than $170 million over two phases across the next five years.

      Agile Cold specializes in blast freezing, layer/case picking, cross docking, export services, tempering and e-commerce and offers automation in warehouse receiving, storage and shipping and a multi-temperature storage network suitable for a wide variety of inventory. The company’s Agile Cold Claymont division will locate in First State Crossing, a currently brownfield property that previously was a steel mill, along Naamans Road.

      Positions there will include management and supervisors, general laborers, forklift operators, inventory control, customer service and maintenance. Additional jobs are likely to be added by partner service providers associated with the facility.

      “We are excited that Agile Cold Storage is choosing Delaware for its next facility. This will create good jobs and economic investment in Claymont,” said Governor John Carney. “Their operations will build on Delaware’s strong foundation in food manufacturing and transportation, helping our region’s supply chain.”

      The company, which was founded in 2020, operates two facilities in the Metro Atlanta area and is planning a third in Macon. Adding an automated multi-temperature warehouse in Delaware will allow Agile Cold to expand into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets and help meet growing proximity-related demands for fresh, refrigerated and frozen foods and more frequent deliveries. It also will provide much-needed modern infrastructure to a food supply chain challenged by aging, outdated and energy-inefficient cold storage that lacks the height, column spacing and multi-temperature zones required by modern food suppliers.

      In addition, the project will bring long-sought investment and industry to Claymont – a community still affected by past industrial closings. It also will support business at the Port of Wilmington and future operations at the proposed port expansion at Edgemoor.

      “We are thankful to Agile Cold Storage for choosing New Castle County for their location,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “We’re especially excited about the addition of more than 100 jobs to the area.”

      Delaware Prosperity Partnership engaged with Agile Cold over the last year as it considered possible sites in Delaware and surrounding states for its Northeast/Mid-Atlantic expansion. Today, DPP supported the company’s request to the Council on Development Finance for a Jobs Performance Grant of up to $510,500 and a Capital Expenditures Grant of up to $4.05 million from the Delaware Strategic Fund. Distribution of these grants is dependent upon the company meeting commitments as outlined to the CDF, which reviewed and approved Agile Cold’s request.

      “During the past two years, we have worked closely with Delaware officials who recognized the need for modernized cold storage and the benefits that it offers, including job creation and improved supply chain efficiencies,” said Don Schoenl, Agile Cold Storage president and CEO. “We are grateful to local and state representatives for their professionalism and commitment. Agile is looking forward to hiring our team members and servicing our customers starting next summer.”

      ###

      About Delaware Prosperity Partnership

      Created in 2017, Delaware Prosperity Partnership (choosedelaware.com) is the nonprofit public/private organization that leads Delaware’s statewide economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and support private employers in identifying, recruiting and developing talent.

      About Agile Cold Storage

      Headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia, Agile Cold Storage (agilecoldstorage.com) offers diversified storage and logistics solutions customized to fit client needs. The company aims to deliver better, faster and more cost-efficient supply chain solutions while maintaining a commitment to upholding the highest level of customer service. Focusing on safety and service, Agile partners with North American food manufacturers, processers and growers in need of temperature-controlled warehouses to service their customers and brings proven technologies and flexible problem-solving to assist in resolving supply chain challenges.

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