Author: Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Incyte biotech company Delaware

Big Fish or Small, Delaware Has Your Back

Written on . Posted in In the News.

Big Fish or Small, Delaware Has Your Back

7 April, 2022  | SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE

More than 1,000 people work at the Wilmington headquarters of Incyte, a global biopharmaceutical company with more than 2,000 employees, specializing in drug discovery in the fields of oncology and dermatology, among others. That’s a big fish in the pond that is Delaware’s growing biotech sector, and it’s getting bigger. Plans to expand its corporate campus with a building for chemistry, technical and development operations staff were nearly sidelined by the pandemic in 2020. But the company has been occupying the building since January, thanks to an assist from Governor John Carney, who like other state officials wants to keep all the state’s industry ponds stocked.

“The project finished early,” says Paula Swain, Incyte’s executive vice president of human resources. “During construction, it was very helpful to us that the governor allowed building to continue. We were able to safely operate that site without delays. People were working in space that was leased until March, and they would have had no space beyond that.

Also,” adds Swain, “had we halted construction, all the people working on the building would have been without jobs. Having access to the governor and explaining how important this was helped us finish the building when we needed it finished.”

With its roots in Palo Alto, California, recruiting East Coast scientific talent from Delaware and its proximity to biotech hubs in neighboring states was the way to go. “Delaware is becoming more of a biotech haven, and the cost of living is far lower than Palo Alto,” notes Swain. Once the state was chosen, public officials sprang into action. “Senator [Tom] Carper was instrumental in helping us secure space initially and encouraging access to our delegation, local leaders and representatives to have good dialogues with them. This isn’t typical in most states. You can know these people on a personal level. It gives companies a tremendous advantage. They are very helpful when you want to grow and expand.”

“Because of Delaware’s size, it’s easier to get things done, and state officials work with you long after the operation is set up.”

— Paula Swain, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Incyte

First Impressions Matter

Adjacent states were considered before Incyte picked Delaware, says Swain.

“To be honest, we were small fish to them,” she relates. “The sense was we could locate there if we wanted to, but they didn’t have much in the way of incentives we needed at the time. Delaware in the early days provided hiring incentives and helped with capital in the beginning. We don’t need that support today, but as a small startup we did. Delaware made us feel wanted and that they would help us be successful in the state. The other states did not. We weren’t a big enough player. Delaware was excited about the prospect of our locating and growing here.”

Wilmington’s location gives Incyte employees many options when it comes to where to live. Swain says a number of younger workers prefer the urban vibe the Philadelphia area affords. Young families tend to reside in Delaware’s smaller communities. Others commute from Princeton, New Jersey, and many other locations. Those living in Delaware know the state’s tax climate is a strong motivator for doing so. It has no statewide sales tax, and it has the sixth-lowest property tax burden in the United States, according to a recent report from WalletHub. That allows for three-quarters of the state’s households to own their own home.

“Because of Delaware’s size, it’s easier to get things done,” says Swain, “and state officials work with you long after the operation is set up. For our new building ribbon cutting, for example, they coordinated their calendars to find a date when our two senators, our state representative and others could be here live to talk to our employees about what Incyte means to them. We get incredible support from the state.” 

This Investment Profile was prepared under the auspices of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership. For more information visit choosedelaware.com or call (302) 244-5785.

This article was originally posted in Site Selection Magazine at: https://siteselection.com/issues/2022/mar/big-fish-or-small-delaware-has-your-back.cfm

Kurt Foreman

PRESIDENT & CEO

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hvac industry 3rd generation design

AirGreen’s Innovative Tech in HVAC Industry

Written on . Posted in Success Stories.

So Cool, They’re Hot

hvac industry 3rd generation design

March 31, 2022 –

HVAC Industry Air Conditioning Innovators AirGreen Ready to Grow in 2022

“Innovation” and “growth” aren’t two words you’d expect to be associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. But while much of the working world either scaled back or went remote, New Castle, Delaware-based AirGreen was ramping up.

AirGreen, which manufactures an innovative twist on the concept of air conditioning, had just completed its Series A round of financing in January 2019, pitching its cheaper and more efficient process to businesses, hospitals, schools and indoor growers.

Since then, the HVAC manufacturing company has blossomed, finalizing the commercialization of its third-generation technology after demonstrating its benefits in two-year, 24/7 operations across a variety of applications. The company also earned Intertek/UL safety certifications and expanded its team with a full-time sales professional with deep expertise in the HVAC industry, an additional project engineer, and a full-time skilled fabricator/shop manager.

During the same time, AirGreen saw the installation of its new technology at a large indoor cannabis growing facility and exhibited at the AHR conference, the largest HVAC conference in North America, ranking among the top 2% in exhibitor engagement by participants.

“Our system eliminates humidity at an energy-use footprint that is a fraction of traditional mechanical cooling systems,” said CEO John Hammond.

The High Price of Cool

Anyone who’s ever sweltered through a long July day with only open windows to cool them can attest to the value of modern air conditioning.

But energy experts and building managers will tell you the cost of those comfortably cool businesses and homes is significant. Air conditioners – most of which are based on the mechanical refrigeration concept developed by Willis Carrier in the early 1900s – use about 6% of all energy produced in the United States at a cost to homeowners of about $29 billion.

Billions more are spent by businesses to cool office spaces and by the U.S. military to cool military housing in desert climates. Meanwhile, the electricity used to power the world’s air conditioning results in the production of tons of greenhouse gases.

A New Concept for the HVAC Industry

But AirGreen has been working diligently since 2013 to turn the A/C business on its head, leveraging new technology that’s cheaper and cleaner than traditional mechanical refrigeration.

AirGreen’s technology uses a closed-loop liquid desiccant system to remove moisture from the air in multiple stages while simultaneously cooling the air. The result is conditioned air that averages around 60 or 65 degrees and 40% to 50% humidity. In addition, the AirGreen system cleans the air along with cooling it, capturing and neutralizing airborne pathogens like molds, bacteria, and viruses, including COVID-19, creating an environment that’s both comfortable and healthy.

“The thing with dehumidifying using traditional systems is that it’s inefficient,” Hammond said. “In order to get the moisture out of the air, you have to cool it down to the dew point. Then, in a lot of cases you have to reheat the air before it goes back into the building.”

With the AirGreen system, Hammond estimates energy savings of 50% to 60% over traditional systems because it strips out humidity chemically and doesn’t require such significant cooling.

A Cooler Way to Grow

Hammond notes that it’s those factors that make the AirGreen system perfect for high-humidity conditions like indoor growing.

“If you’re growing things indoors, you water the plants, the plants transpire moisture into the atmosphere. And if you want your plants to grow, then you’ve got to strip moisture out of the air,” he said. “Because if the air becomes saturated, the plants’ growth slows considerably.”

Indoor growing is also a huge source of energy consumption, he notes, with the U.S. Department of Energy projecting that by 2030, the amount of energy used by indoor growing operations just for legalized cannabis will be equivalent to that of data centers or electric car charging.

“So, the ability to dehumidify in an efficient way with a low energy footprint that improves indoor air quality, we think that’s really where it’s at,” Hammond said. “And we’ve been working very hard to mature the technology and get it into the market.”

Other markets include data centers, indoor recreation facilities, indoor pools, chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and cold storage, as well as warmer-climate countries with growing middle classes where as many as 3.4 billion new AC units could be installed, he said. With traditional air conditioning, the increased energy use could cancel out any prior attempts at limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

A Productive Pandemic Perfects Innovative Tech

Hammond said when the U.S. went into COVID protocols in March of 2020, he sent his team home for three weeks. “But we couldn’t do what we do with everyone sitting at home. We have to build equipment. We have to test it. We have to do the design work together,” he said. “So, we did all the right things in terms of social distancing and masking and didn’t lay anyone off. We just went to work.”

Because many other businesses shut down for longer, AirGreen had a chance to perfect its technology and catch up, he said. The support of organizations like Delaware Prosperity Partnership, whose collaborative work typify how business is conducted throughout Delaware, definitely helped.

“I think they’re much more entrepreneurial, and in turn, that makes it fit a lot more with entrepreneurial companies and industries that are trying to grow in this area,” Hammond said. “And if you need to call someone and say, ‘Hey I’ve got this issue. I’m wondering if you might know someone who might have some advice,’ it really is small, business-friendly, and you can get people to answer.”

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Delaware site readiness funding

Site Readiness Projects Funded

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Council on Development Finance Approves Eight Site Readiness Fund Project Applications Totaling $6.2 million

March 28, 2022 – 

(NEW CASTLE, Del.) – On Monday, the Council on Development Finance (CDF) approved eight Site Readiness Fund project applications totaling $6.2 million. The projects are located throughout the state with three each in New Castle County and Kent County and two in Sussex County.

Established through Senate Bill 127, the Site Readiness Fund promotes economic growth and stability by investing in the development or improvement of commercial and industrial sites to attract job-creating businesses.

“The Site Readiness Fund was created to help fund development or redevelopment of commercial and industrial sites across Delaware to spur economic growth and new business investment. With the funding approved today, these properties can be quickly converted to meet the needs of employers who will create quality jobs for Delawareans,” said Governor John Carney.

“By investing in these projects, we can ensure that Delaware remains competitive in attracting and retaining vital businesses that create opportunities for employment,” said Jordan Schulties, Director of the Division of Small Business. “In today’s competitive economy, it is more important than ever that we have tools like the Site Readiness Fund to help expand and sustain economic growth in our state.”

“The Site Readiness Fund allows us to be proactive in developing a ready supply of sites available to companies who choose to locate or expand in Delaware,” said Kurt Foreman, President and CEO of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership. “We are excited to see the projects receiving funding today develop over the coming months and look forward to the new jobs they will bring to Delaware.”

The Site Readiness Fund provides grants, loans or other economic assistance to qualified businesses or local governments that invest in constructing, renovating or improving commercial, and industrial sites that are readily available to new businesses, established businesses that are considering moving to the state, or existing businesses within the state that need additional sites to remain or expand in Delaware.

The FY 2022 Bond Bill included $10 million to support the Site Readiness Fund. This is the first round of funding for the program.

The project applications approved for funding by the CDF on Monday include:

  • $1 million to the Chestnut Run Innovation and Science Park partners to modernize campus infrastructure of the Chestnut Run Innovation and Science Park, which was designed to combine research, advanced manufacturing operations and business incubation while cultivating relationships with local universities. Funding will be used to improve site lighting and utilities, paving and concrete, and for selective building demolition.
  • $1 million to the City of Harrington for proposed redevelopment of an industrial park on three properties on U.S. Route 13 totaling 131 acres. Funding will be used for engineering and planning of the project and roadway and utility work.
  • $1 million to Drawbridge Claymont to support the development of an industrial site on 58 acres at 6300 Philadelphia Pike in Claymont. Funding will be used for demolition and engineering services.
  • $1 million to E & D Holdings to support continued development of the Wyoming Business Center at 140 and 146 Southern Boulevard in Wyoming. Funding will be used to prepare the site, install infrastructure and utilities, and construct two new warehouse buildings.
  • $1 million to Martin Property Development to support development of 112,000 square feet of flexible industrial warehouse space on 10.9 acres of commercial property in the Frankford Business Park. Funding will be used for civil engineering, earthwork, sitework, and utilities.
  • $1 million to Sussex County to create new shovel-ready sites at the Delaware Coastal Business Park near Georgetown. Funding will be used for road improvements, utilities, and supporting infrastructure.
  • $100,000 to the City of Milford to support planning for the development of an industrial/business park on a recently purchased 182-acre lot on Milford Harrington Highway. Funding will be used to develop a master plan, conduct a traffic impact study, and complete engineering design.
  • $100,000 to Shanlan Corporation to support planning for the development of the St. Georges Logistics Center at 1870 Dupont Parkway in Middletown, which is conceptually designed to include three buildings totaling more than 2.5 million square feet of warehouse facilities. Funding will be used for engineering fees and transition surveying.

Three additional Site Readiness Fund project applications requesting a total of $3 million will be considered at the next CDF meeting on April 25. If those projects are approved, the first round of Site Readiness funding will support 11 projects at a total of $9.2 million.

This article was originally posted on the Delaware Division of Small Business website at: https://news.delaware.gov/2022/03/28/council-on-development-finance-approves-eight-site-readiness-fund-projects-totaling-6-2-million/

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Forbes: ChristianaCare One of the Best

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Forbes: ChristianaCare One of the Best Health Systems to Work in the US

15 March 2022 | ChrisitanaCare News

best health system to work

(WILMINGTON, Del.) For the second consecutive year, Forbes magazine has ranked ChristianaCare as one of the best large health systems to work for in the United States.

ChristianaCare ranked as the 29th best health system overall, within Forbes’ list of the 500 best large employers in the United States.

ChristianaCare was the only health system in Delaware to make Forbes’ list.

“At ChristianaCare, we anticipate the needs of others, help with compassion and generosity, and show respect to everyone,” said Neil Jasani, M.D., MBA, FACEP, chief people officer at ChristianaCare. “These values and behaviors start with our workforce, as we create a supportive environment that enables our caregivers to find joy in their work and provide consistently excellent care to everyone we serve.”

While the pandemic has taken a significant toll on the health care workforce nationally, ChristianaCare has been recognized for its success in supporting its caregivers.

The American Medical Association recently recognized ChristianaCare with the highest honor in its Joy in Medicine program, which recognizes health systems that demonstrate a commitment to preserving the wellbeing of health care team members by engaging in proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout. This work has been largely driven by ChristianaCare’s innovative Center for WorkLife Wellbeing, which was founded in 2016 to tackle the growing national problem of burnout in health care and help caregivers to reconnect with joy and meaning in their work.

All employees at ChristianaCare are referred to as “caregivers.”

Other highlights of how ChristianaCare creates a great place to work include:

  • Benefits that include medical, dental and vision coverage, as well as a wellness incentive program and free healthy lifestyle coaching and care management, as well as access to ChristianaCare’s innovative and always-on virtual primary care, which makes health care options for busy caregivers more convenient than ever.
  • Twelve weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child.
  • An organizational commitment to anti-racism and a robust Inclusion and Diversity program that includes 10 employee resource groups (ERGs). Forbes ranks ChristianaCare as the No. 1 overall employer for diversity and inclusion in Delaware and No. 14 among U.S. health systems nationwide.
  • A caregiver recognition program that supports a culture of gratitude and rewards caregivers who exemplify the core values of ChristianaCare.
  • Care@Work, which provides backup care services when working families are faced with a disruption in regular childcare or other dependent care coverage.
  • Free medical plan option for caregivers under certain income thresholds.
  • Competitive pay at all levels. ChristianaCare was the first health system in Delaware to adopt a $15 minimum wage, in 2018.

To create the list of America’s Best Large Employers, Forbes partnered with the market research firm Statista, which surveyed 60,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees. All responses were anonymous.

Using a scale of zero to 10, the respondents rated how likely they were to recommend their employer to others. The participants also nominated organizations other than their own.

The final ranking features companies with the most recommendations.

About ChristianaCare

Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, ChristianaCare is one of the country’s most dynamic health care organizations, centered on improving health outcomes, making high-quality care more accessible and lowering health care costs. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of primary care and outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,299 beds), a freestanding emergency department, a Level I trauma center and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care and women’s health. It also includes the pioneering Gene Editing Institute.

ChristianaCare is nationally recognized as a great place to work, rated by Forbes as one of the best health systems to work for in the United States and by IDG Computerworld as one of the nation’s Best Places to Work in IT. ChristianaCare is rated by HealthGrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals and continually ranked among the nation’s best by Newsweek and other national quality ratings. ChristianaCare is a nonprofit teaching health system with more than 260 residents and fellows. With its groundbreaking Center for Virtual Health and a focus on population health and value-based care, ChristianaCare is shaping the future of health care.

Kurt Foreman

PRESIDENT & CEO

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Delaware hosting BMW Championships 2022

Delaware Hosting PGA TOUR’s BMW Championship

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Wilmington Country Club to Host 2022 BMW Championship

Delaware hosting BMW Championships 2022

March 11, 2022 – 

The PGA TOUR, Western Golf Association and Wilmington Country Club officials announced today the 2022 BMW Championship will be played on the South Course at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware. While official dates have not been announced, the event is scheduled to be held in late August of 2022.

“We’re thrilled to be taking the BMW Championship to Wilmington Country Club, one of the finest clubs anywhere in the United States,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA Senior Vice President of Tournaments. “The South Course has everything you look for in a traditional championship layout. It will present a strategic test for the world’s best players and a perfect venue for fans and PGA TOUR partners.”

The 2022 event will mark the first time the PGA TOUR has played an event in Delaware, and it will be the third time since 2018 that the BMW Championship has been held on the East Coast. The 2021 BMW Championship was held at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, hosted the 2018 BMW Championship.

“It is a great honor for Wilmington Country Club to be the first club in the state of Delaware to play host to the PGA TOUR, and to the prestigious BMW Championship,” Club President Gary Ferguson said. “The passion that fans in this area have for golf is unmatched, and they will enjoy the opportunity to watch the best players in the world compete on this spectacular and challenging golf course.”

Wilmington Country Club was established in 1901, with its original 18 holes covering 135 acres. The club relocated in the 1950s, bringing in renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. to design the South Course, which opened in 1959. Playing over 7,500 yards from the championship tees, the South Course has been recognized as one of the United States’ best golf courses by Golf Digest.

While this will be Wilmington Country Club’s first professional event, the club has long been a proving ground for the world’s best amateur players. After hosting the 1913 U.S. Women’s Amateur on what is now known as the “Old Course,” Wilmington has hosted five other USGA events, including the 1965 and 1978 U.S. Junior Amateur, the 1971 U.S. Amateur, the 1978 U.S. Girls’ Junior and the 2003 U.S. Mid-Amateur. The club also hosted the 2013 Palmer Cup competition between Europe and a United States team that featured 2019 BMW Championship winner Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger and Patrick Rodgers.

The club and its membership have a deep commitment to the state of Delaware.

“Delaware is excited to host the 2022 BMW Championship,” said Governor John Carney. “The First State has a long and proud golf history and is ideally positioned to support one of golf’s great championships. Not only will the BMW Championship enhance the local economy, it will showcase a wonderful course and dynamic community to a global audience.”

“We are thrilled the Wilmington Country Club in New Castle County has been selected as the site for the 2022 BMW Championship,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “New Castle County has a historic relationship with professional golf, including being the home to the LPGA Tour’s McDonald’s Championship for nearly a decade. We’re excited to welcome back professional golf to one of the premier golf locations on the East Coast.”

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki added: “I join with all members of our community to welcome the BMW Championship to Wilmington Country Club. This event will attract many to our city who will be able to enjoy our terrific restaurants and fine hotels in addition to watching the greatest golfers in the world compete for one of the PGA TOUR’s most coveted titles.”

In addition to having an estimated $30 million economic impact on the Wilmington area, the 2022 BMW Championship is expected to play a vital philanthropic role by introducing more golfers and fans on the East Coast to the Evans Scholars Foundation and its mission of awarding full tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving youth caddies.

“We are proud of our collaboration with the Western Golf Association and of the support that we’ve been able to provide to the Evans Scholars Foundation,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “As the title sponsor of this tournament for the past 14 years, together we have helped to send over 3,000 young students to college to pursue their dreams.”

All proceeds from the BMW Championship benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation. Since 2007, the event has raised more than $35 million for Evans Scholarships. Two caddies have earned Evans Scholarships from Wilmington Country Club – Owen Griffin graduated from the University of Illinois in 1983, and Dan Walsh currently is a junior at Penn State University.

WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski noted that “the BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club will give us an opportunity to show a new market the power of the Evans Scholars Program. This is a critical step in our efforts to expand from coast to coast and reach more deserving young caddies.”

The BMW Championship features the top 70 PGA TOUR players vying to earn one of 30 spots in the season-ending TOUR Championship and the chance to be crowned FedExCup champion. Past BMW Championship winners include Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Zach Johnson, Justin Rose and Tiger Woods.

This content for this article was sourced through the BMW Championship website at: https://bmwchampionship.com/news/wilmington-country-club-to-host-2022-bmw-championship

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Chris Kelly Joins DPP as Senior Economic Researcher

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Chris Kelly Joins DPP as Senior Economic Researcher

March 9, 2022 – 

Chris Kelly, a former associate policy scientist, has joined Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) as its new senior economic researcher.

Kelly previously worked for the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration, where he was responsible for numerous research projects to support a range of needs for government officials and other key stakeholders in the community.

Prior to his tenure with the University of Delaware, he served as a legislative fellow with the Delaware General Assembly. In that role, he conducted in-depth, non-partisan research to inform decision-making and development of legislation for the State of Delaware.

Kelly will be headquartered in his city of residence – Dover, Delaware – with frequent travel throughout the state, including DPP’s headquarters at The Mill in Wilmington. As DPP’s senior economic researcher, Kelly heads the public/private partnership’s research and business intelligence functions to ensure that the DPP team and its statewide partners have the market and industry information they need about key economic issues to promote prosperity and economic well-being for all Delawareans. He also provides companies considering locating or expanding in Delaware and the site consultants assisting those companies with data and information about the state’s workforce, industry trends, sites and properties, business environment and incentives.

DPP leads Delaware’s economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; to build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and to support employers in place marketing Delaware to potential employees, highlighting Delaware as a great place to work, live and play through its LiveLoveDelaware.com website. In partnership with economic development partners throughout the state, the DPP team works with site selectors, executives and developers focused on where to locate or grow a business and helps with reviewing potential sites, cost-of-living analyses and funding opportunities, including available tax credits and incentives. DPP advances a culture of innovation in Delaware, working with innovators and startups to spotlight and celebrate successes and connect them with the resources they need to succeed. DPP and its partnerships throughout Delaware support and advance the missions of companies of all sizes and sectors.

Kelly holds a Master of Public Administration degree from University of Delaware. In his free time, he enjoys visiting restaurants and parks throughout Delaware with his family.

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Bryan Mack Delaware economic development

Bryan Mack Joins DPP as Business Development Manager

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Bryan Mack Joins DPP as Business Development Manager

March 9, 2022 –

Bryan Mack, a resident of Sussex County, Delaware, has joined Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) in the role of business development manager.

The Delaware native and University of Delaware graduate most recently served as community relations coordinator at Delaware Technical Community College. He previously served as director of scheduling in the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del.

DPP leads Delaware’s economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; to build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, and to support private employers in identifying, recruiting, and developing talent. DPP’s Business Development team works with site selectors, executives and developers focused on where to locate or grow a business and helps with reviewing potential sites, cost-of-living analyses and funding opportunities, including available tax credits and incentives.

Working from both Sussex County and the DPP headquarters in Wilmington, Mack will promote Delaware as a business location by coordinating corporate visits, hosting prospects, representing Delaware at economic development events and conducting individual outreach and cultivation with site selectors and other key players in business location. His work will encourage companies to actively consider Delaware for expansion, relocation, new jobs and capital investment.

Mack also will engage with DPP’s statewide partners, the regional real estate community and employers to further DPP’s targeted industry sectors of financial and business services; science and technology; food and agriculture; manufacturing and logistics; and education and healthcare. Included in this engagement will be work to maintain to ZoomProspector, DPP’s statewide database of available commercial and industrial properties.

Mack is a Cape Henlopen High School graduate who lives in his hometown of Rehoboth Beach. In his leisure time, he enjoys running, playing soccer, surfing, skiing and relaxing on the beach with his friends and family.

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Jacqueline Means Steve Harvey

Delaware’s STEM Queen Making Science Fun

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STEM Queen on a Mission to Make Science Fun

Jacqueline Means Delaware STEM Queen

March 4, 2022 – 

Delaware ‘Royalty’ Jacqueline Means Inspires Girls to Embrace Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Many young girls enjoy playing with fashion dolls. Jacqueline Means, however, was enamored with a science kit. She was equally captivated by YouTube videos that showcased experiments and the computer games that let her be a virtual surgeon.

“I would go to school and tell my friends about it, and they would look at me like I was crazy,” the Wilmington resident recalls. Their skepticism struck a nerve and led to a promise she made herself: “I’m going to prove to little girls — whether they want to hear it or not — that science is amazing.”

In 2017, Means started the Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative to teach low-income girls of color about science, technology, engineering and math. Locally, the program has received support from Chemours, a Delaware-based chemical company, which donated $10,000. Other supporters include the Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education, JPMorgan Chase, Inspiring Women in STEM, All Things Charity and Brew HaHa!, a Delaware-based coffee shop chain.

In addition to funding, the initiative has received national notice. Means has appeared on the CBS program “Mission Impossible,” the “Today” show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and the “Steve Harvey Show,” among others.

STEM Queen Destined for Success

Means has dubbed herself the “STEM Queen,” and it’s not such a stretch. The science whiz is a seasoned pageant participant and in 2019 earned the Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen title. She’s the first Delawarean to win the Miss Black USA Talented Teen crown.

The pageants, which helped fund her education, boosted the teenager’s poise. At age 19, she’s comfortable answering challenging questions. It helps that she has numerous high-profile TV appearances under her belt. But Means’ confidence comes from a variety of sources, including the nonprofit that she founded.

The youngest of two children, she credits brother Johnny’s science project for piquing her interest in science. Johnny and his dad, Johnny Means II, created a volcano out of papier-mâché. “Don’t touch it,” their father told a 7-year-old Means.

But she couldn’t resist. At night, she crept downstairs and mixed vinegar with baking soda to create an explosive reaction. “I was like, ‘This is incredible!’” Her mother, JoAnn, supported her interest and bought anatomy books when her daughter took an interest in medicine.

Like her brother, Means attended Delaware Military Academy, where she rose to the rank of Bravo Battalion Commanding Officer. She was president of the chess club, captain of the track and field team, an officer with Business Professionals of America and secretary of student government. She participated in cheerleading, basketball and dance, which is her talent for pageants.

She did all of this while pursuing her passion for sharing STEM studies with others.

  • Jacqueline Means with students

  • Jacqueline Means on Access Hollywood

  • STEM students Delaware

  • STEM Queen on TODAY Show

  • STEM Queen with girls in Delaware

Hands-On Learning

Means teaches the way that she prefers to learn. “I am a kinesthetic learner,” she explains. “I like to work with my hands. There’s no better way to fully understand something than to do it yourself, and it’s OK to make mistakes.”

The Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative reaches out to girls in low-income communities like Southbridge, where Means and her family reside. Workshops, known as Girls Empowerment STEM events, attract about 100 young inner-city girls.

Participants make ice cream from dry ice and create non-Newtonian fluids such as ketchup, which changes viscosity when shaken. The youngers also make slime and elephant toothpaste and learn about 3D printing.

Since transportation can be an issue for attendees, she visits schools, churches and community centers. “If they can’t come to my events, it’s totally fine. I will come to them,” she says.

She could do neither throughout most of the COVID-19 pandemic, so she taught herself how to edit and uploaded YouTube videos that show “just how awesome” STEM can be. She also conducted workshops via Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Not all the topics focus on science. Means, an avid video gamer, also addresses safety issues posed by the internet and bullying. The events also feature motivational speakers, such as otolaryngologist Dr. Joan Coker, Enid Wallace-Simms of Delmarva Power and Erin Hutt of YWCA Delaware.

A Nurturing State

The STEM events emphasize career opportunities and advancement. In Means’ community of Southbridge, many teens don’t graduate high school, let alone enroll in STEM programs. Meanwhile, women and people of color have long been underrepresented in the STEM fields. Means and her supporters want to change that, and she estimates her work has impacted more than 5,000 local girls to date.

Today, the STEM Queen is majoring in medical diagnostics on the premed track and minoring in neuroscience at the University of Delaware. In addition, she already has an internship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine under her belt.

Delaware, she says, has been a great place to make connections and garner support.

“Part of our strength is that we are small,” Means explains. “It’s common to see Gov. John Carney out and about at an event or meet Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long. Delaware is a place where you can build a future. You can make a name for yourself and have an impact — not just in your city, but in your entire state.”

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LaMotte Company expands R&D and lab in Delaware

LaMotte Chooses Delaware for Expansion

Written on . Posted in Press Releases.

LaMotte Company Chooses Newark, Delaware, for Manufacturing and R&D Expansion

LaMotte Company expands R&D and lab in Delaware

Water-Quality Testing Instrumentation and Reagent Company Investing $3.3M in New Pencader Corporate Center Site, Adding More Than 100 New Jobs in Delaware

(WILMINGTON, Del. ) — 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 also will 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 locations. The company intends to collaborate with the university’s College of Engineering and Lerner College of Business & Economics 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.

“We are excited to learn of LaMotte Company’s plans to expand to New Castle County,” said County Executive Matt Meyer. “We also thank the leadership and vision of Delaware Prosperity Partnership in helping to bring exciting and innovative employment opportunities to Delawareans.”

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.

LaMotte officials presented to Delaware’s Council on Development Finance, requesting a performance-based grant of $190,440 and a Delaware Lab Space Grant of almost $1.06 million from the Delaware Strategic Fund. Distribution of grants from the Delaware Strategic Fund is dependent on the company meeting commitments as outlined to the CDF, which reviewed and approved the request.

“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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About Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Delaware Prosperity Partnership leads Delaware’s economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; to build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and to support employers in place marketing Delaware to potential employees via livelovedelaware.com. The DPP team works with site selectors, executives and developers focused on where to locate or grow a business and helps with reviewing potential sites, cost-of-living analyses and funding opportunities, including available tax credits and incentives. DPP advances a culture of innovation in Delaware, working with innovators and startups to spotlight and celebrate successes and connect them with the resources they need to succeed. DPP and its partnerships throughout Delaware support and advance the missions of companies of all sizes and sectors.

About LaMotte Company

Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, LaMotte Company is headquartered on its own 15-acre industrial park near colonial Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The company is a leading manufacturer of analytical reagents, laboratory apparatus, electronic instrumentation and complete portable test kits for chemical analysis in hundreds of applications. Since 1919, LaMotte has been a committed leader in providing quality equipment and guidance for water analysis. LaMotte’s first major catalog, published in 1930, anticipated many of the areas in which accurate chemical control is indispensable today: boiler water, swimming pools, drinking water and more. Today, the company produces a broad line of portable test equipment and continues its focus on specific needs by offering reliable products and exceptional technical support and customer service to guarantee satisfaction.

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Delaware top overall affordability in US

Delaware Tops in Overall Affordability

Written on . Posted in Press Releases.

Delaware Among Top Places in U.S. For Overall Affordability

Delaware top overall affordability in US

February 18, 2022 – 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Delaware, perhaps most well-known for having no statewide sales tax, continues to top the charts as one of the U.S.’s most affordable places to live. While most northeastern states rank among those with the highest property tax burdens, property taxes throughout Delaware remain among the lowest in the United States. Delaware is the sixth lowest, according to a 2021 report from WalletHub. These lower costs of homeownership result in 75% of the state’s households owning their own home.

Three-quarters of the state’s homeowners spend less than $2,000 a month on housing and about 85% of the state’s renters spend less than $1,500 a month on housing, according to Delaware Prosperity Partnership.

Over the last decade, Delaware also has the fastest-growing population along the nation’s northeast corridor. Delaware is located at the center of the U.S.’s largest consumer market. Its central geographic location and the presence of a diverse industrial base combine to create a wide variety of business and earning opportunities, contributing to a statewide median income of $68,287, based on the American Community Survey collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.

All of these attributes, combined with its business-friendly tax structure, make Delaware one of the most affordable choices for businesses looking to locate here and workers thinking of a move. 

“Since DPP began three years ago, we have closed 45 projects, which include businesses new to the Delaware market and Delaware-located businesses choosing to grow here,” explained DPP CEO and President Kurt Foreman. “Combined, these projects are expected to result in more than $1.39 billion in capital investment and nearly 5,000 new jobs in Delaware. These figures not only speak to the collaborative nature of the DPP model, but also underscore Delaware’s can’t-be-beat value proposition, from excellence in education and health care, easy access to one of the best coastlines in the U.S. and one of the most affordable places in the country.”

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About Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Delaware Prosperity Partnership leads Delaware’s economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; to build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and to support private employers in identifying and developing talent. The DPP team works with site selectors, executives and developers focused on where to locate or grow a business and helps with reviewing potential sites, cost-of-living analyses and funding opportunities, including available tax credits and incentives. DPP advances a culture of innovation in Delaware, working with innovators and startups to spotlight and celebrate successes and connect them with the resources they need to succeed. DPP and its partnerships throughout Delaware support and advance the missions of companies of all sizes and sectors.

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Delaware's Best Egg grows

Best Egg Experienced Record Growth in 2021

Written on . Posted in In the News.

Best Egg Experienced Record Growth in 2021

Delaware's Best Egg grows

February 17, 2022 – 

Best Egg Launches Multi-Product Platform to Help Consumers With Their Everyday Finances

Best Egg, the AI-powered, online financial platform that is owned and operated by Marlette Holdings, Inc, and its subsidiaries is pleased to share information on the success it achieved in 2021. The platform experienced a record year facilitating 437,000 new accounts and surpassing over 1.2 million total accounts since inception.

“Last year, Best Egg experienced tremendous success,” Jeffrey Meiler, CEO and founder of Marlette funding said. “In 2021 the Best Egg platform facilitated $4.6 billion in personal loans, bringing us to over $15 billion in loans since the platform launched in 2014.”

In addition to a record-breaking year for personal loans, Best Egg introduced two new products in 2021. In June, Best Egg began piloting a new Visa® credit card, offering a value proposition that provides spending controls and features that will grow and evolve as customers rebuild their credit. To date, 19,000 consumers carry the Best Egg credit card with confidence.

In December, the platform announced the launch of the Best Egg Financial Health. Free to all, Best Egg Financial Health customers initially get access to features like their VantageScore® credit score with monthly updates, credit report alerts, credit score factor explanations, a credit score simulator, financial calculators, and a Knowledge Center full of tips and ideas to help people with their finances. Since its inception, the financial health platform has welcomed more than 100,000 members.

To celebrate the launch of the Best Egg Financial Health platform, Best Egg announced the ongoing Better Credit Sweepstakes, which started on January 1 and runs through January 31 of this year. The winner of the sweepstakes will receive $25,000 to help them get their finances on track for 2022.

“Our growth has been achieved thanks to the experts and professionals who contribute their talents to our mission to build financial confidence for people who experience challenges with their everyday finances,” Meiler continued. “Marlette has been recognized numerous times as a Top Workplace within the region, a reputation that has attracted top talent. Last year we hired more than 200 employees and plan to add 350 in 2022. Our teams’ efforts place us on a path for continued and sustained growth within the next year.”

Marlette doubled the size of its team to over 400 professionals while opening a new headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. The headquarters’ infrastructure was built to provide a pandemic-friendly workspace. The company embraces a flexible approach to the workplace, offering employees the option of using the office or working remotely. Jobs open now can be found at www.bestegg.com/careers.  

With a focus on helping consumers feel more financially confident and providing simple products that help them with the challenges they face with everyday finances. This will be achieved by continuing to use customer feedback to create value and deepen its customer base across all products, while also expanding the pool of customers it serves.

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About Marlette Holdings, Inc

Marlette Holdings, LLC, d/b/a Best Egg, is a leading financial technology provider whose subsidiaries developed and operate the AI-powered Best Egg financial platform, which aims to help people feel more confident about their everyday finances. The team mixes decades of banking experience with deep customer knowledge and smart technology to deliver digital products, services and experiences in a more relevant way. Since March 2014, the platform has delivered over $15 billion of consumer loans with strong credit performance. For more information, visit www.MarletteFunding.com or www.BestEgg.com.

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Startup302 funding competition for underrepresented founders

Startup302 Applications Now Due 2/27

Written on . Posted in Press Releases.

Underrepresented Founders of Early-Stage, Tech-Enabled Companies Competing for More Than $180k in 2022 Startup302 Funding Contest

Startup302 funding competition for underrepresented founders

Deadline to Enter Community-Led Competition, Which Also Provides Mentoring and Networking Connections to Winners, Extended to Feb. 27

WILMINGTON, Del.  — Delaware’s second annual community-led Startup302 funding competition is accepting applications from underrepresented founders with early-stage, technology-enabled ventures through Feb. 27. Focusing on underrepresented founders with a goal of tackling funding inequities and strengthening the regional startup community, the contest is offering more than $180,000 in grant prizes to winners along with mentoring and valuable networking connections such as introductions to potential investors.

According to Noah Olson, director of Innovation at Startup302 organizer and sponsor Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP), tech-enabled startups with at least one founding team member from an underrepresented group may apply. The competition’s prize categories reflect Delaware’s innovation and industry landscape, he said, so life sciences (including agriculture), chemistry and advanced materials and more broadly tech (including fintech, AI/ML, big data, SaaS, e-sports) ventures are especially encouraged to apply.

“As we’ve seen with the success of last year’s competition and the impact on the winning companies, innovation thrives when diverse perspectives are fostered and included,” Olson said. “Startup302 aims to improve access and equity across the First State’s innovation ecosystem and beyond.”

Garry Johnson III, founder of First Founders Accelerator and chair of the Startup 302 Steering Committee, agreed.

“Delaware has a unique opportunity to position itself as a leader of inclusive and equitable innovation,” Johnson said, “and I’m excited to contribute to collaborative efforts like these that attract diverse communities of founders to the region.”

Within the startup venture capital community, underrepresented founders are those in whom the venture capital industry, as a whole, underinvests relative to their demographic’s percent of overall United States population. Underrepresented founders include women, as well as people of color, including African Americans, Latin Americans and those of Native American descent.

Under Johnson’s leadership, the Startup302 Steering Committee includes representatives from key Delaware innovation-supporting organizations. These include DPP, University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship, the Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (DESCA), the Delaware State University College of Business, the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce Emerging Enterprise Center (EEC) and the Delaware Innovation Space.

“DESCA is thrilled to be a part of this intentional effort to grow a diverse and inclusive startup community,” said DESCA Executive Director Dora Cheatham. “This type of resource collaboration is vital to building a thriving innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Dan Freeman, founding director of Horn Entrepreneurship, said, “Horn Entrepreneurship is honored to support Startup302, which provides great opportunities for founders to make connections, receive guidance, raise visibility, gain credibility and win prize funding – all of which can help to build traction and increase the likelihood of new venture success.”

Lillie Crawford, director of the Delaware Center for Enterprise Development (DCED) at DSU’s College of Business, added that “DCED is delighted to be a part of Startup302. DCED has a history of supporting minority-owned businesses from underserved communities and values the Startup302 commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship specifically targeting underrepresented founders.”

Alysse Bortolotto, director of Economic Development and Business Incubation at the EEC stated, “The EEC is honored to be a part of a program that is creating a more fertile entrepreneurial ecosystem by tackling funding inequities and gaps that will lead to greater innovation, diversity and opportunity.”

There is no cost to enter, thanks to sponsorship by the State of Delaware and other support. Current Startup302 sponsors also include DPP, First Founders, Horn Entrepreneurship, DSU College of Business, Delaware Innovation Space, the Delaware Division of Small Business, the Office of New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, Discover Bank, FMC, Labware, Highmark Delaware, DuPont, ChristianaCare and the Delaware BioScience Association.

The competition finals will take place virtually in May. For further details and to apply, visit startup302.org. Questions may be addressed to Olson at nolson@choosedelaware.com or 302-576-6589.

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About Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Delaware Prosperity Partnership leads Delaware’s economic development efforts to attract, grow and retain businesses; to build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and to support private employers in identifying, recruiting, and developing talent. The DPP team works with site selectors, executives and developers focused on where to locate or grow a business and helps with reviewing potential sites, cost-of-living analyses and funding opportunities, including available tax credits and incentives. DPP advances a culture of innovation in Delaware, working with innovators and startups to spotlight and celebrate successes and connect them with the resources they need to succeed. DPP and its partnerships throughout Delaware support and advance the missions of companies of all sizes and sectors.

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