Wilmington’s Business Climate, Delaware’s Tech Talent Pipeline Earn Top 10 Placements in 2021 Business Facilities Report

August 10, 2021 – 

WILMINGTON, Del. — Wilmington, Delaware, is the city with the nation’s #2 Best Business Climate for under-200,000 population, and Delaware is the state with the #10 ranking for its Tech Talent Pipeline, according to the 2021 Business Facilities Rankings Report.

Other local top-10 placements in the 17th annual publication include Wilmington’s ranking as part of the #7 Large Healthcare Hub in the United States and Delaware’s rankings of #6 state for Electricity from Solar and #9 state for Offshore Wind Power.

Business Facilities highlights area economic development and site selection news from around the world and serves as a leading source for corporate site selectors and economic development professionals. The publication’s 17th annual Rankings Report analyzes and compiles listings of the locations that are leading in key benchmarks for sustainable growth in the 21st century. The 2021 Report highlights state, metro and global leaders in 60 categories and may be viewed here.

Wilmington was recognized for the environment, hospitality and support it offers businesses in key areas such as physical infrastructure, taxes, regulatory issues and education. The city has a population of approximately 70,600 and also was recognized for its status as an integral part of the regional healthcare hub that also includes Philadelphia, Pa., and Camden, N.J.

“At DPP, we are often asked what attracts businesses to consider Delaware. Rankings such as the Business Facilities Rankings as well as the Tax Foundation and KPMG Location Matters Report that ranks Delaware as the third most favorable tax climate in the U.S. play a role in businesses in our core sectors considering Delaware.  We hear from companies who do choose Delaware that our business-friendly culture plays an important role in their decision-making process,” explained Kurt Foreman, Delaware Prosperity Partnership president and CEO.

Delaware’s placement among the nation’s top 10 states for its tech talent pipeline – a new category in the report – is no surprise given that there are 70% more tech jobs across all sectors available than any other job opportunities in the state. From August 2019 to July 2020 alone, Delaware averaged more than 4,000 IT job postings and 474 hires per month. Delaware has more than 17,000 jobs filled by IT professionals and degrees in computer science and information technology rising by about 20% over the last two years.

What’s more, its recent launch of a statewide strategy will build a more diverse, inclusive and highly qualified technology workforce pipeline in Delaware for 2021 and beyond. Supported by funding from JP Morgan Chase, Delaware Prosperity Partnership teamed with 50 stakeholders representing Delaware businesses, nonprofits, education and workforce development organizations to complete a rigorous review of labor market and hiring data, interview relevant populations — including underserved individuals, justice-involved citizens and people re-entering the workforce — and develop a coordinated, demand-driven approach to making its tech talent pipeline even more robust.

Business Facilities expanded its review and ranking of states on renewable energy measures for 2021. Among this year’s additions is a ranking that compares the commitments states have made to develop offshore wind power by 2035, reflecting that this form of renewable energy is now a key component of U.S. energy strategy. The publication’s top 10 in Offshore Wind Power is based on targets set by state legislatures or legislative targets now being considered and shows Delaware at #9. Delaware placed even higher – in 6th place – for generating electricity from solar power, demonstrating the state’s growing focus on renewable energy in response to worldwide climate change.

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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.