Legislative Program Page 2

Section I: Economic Development and Job Creation

Delaware no longer competes against other states, but rather against other countries. A favorable business climate is crucial to maintaining DelawareÕs long-term economic health and critical to preparing for the future. The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce fundamentally believes that there are several key components that allow Delaware to maintain its favorable business climate: 1) a free market economy that does not impose restrictions on a businessesÕ right to charge for its services; 2) a sound legal environment, 3) the lowest achievable rates of taxation consistent with the appropriate funding of essential public services; 4) quality public education; 5) a good quality of life for residents and 6) policies designed to promote and assist existing Delaware businesses and a diversified economy.

The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce strongly encourages State government to develop and fund a comprehensive economic development strategy that aggressively seeks quality employers for our State and actively works to retain the employers located in Delaware. Such a strategy should target a variety of industries and economic sectors. Below you will find several specific recommendations to promote job creation.

1) Strategic Fund

Over the last few years, the State has used the Strategic Fund to support a number of companies relocating or expanding in New Castle County. Fisker, CIGNA, DuPont and others were able to expand their operations because of the financial support provided by the State. The Chamber applauds the Governor and DEDO and encourages the General Assembly to continue to fund the Strategic Fund at meaningful levels.

2) Increased Support for Entrepreneurship

According to the 2009 Kaufman Foundation Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, Delaware ranked 27th. There is considerable room for improvement. Startup companies and entrepreneurial activity will be key determining factors in DelawareÕs economic future. The Chamber strongly encourages the General Assembly and the Markell Administration to further efforts to stimulate and support entrepreneurial activity in our state.

3) Education

The County Chamber recognizes that the quality of public education in Delaware, both real and perceived, has profound economic development implications for the State of Delaware. With this in mind, the Chamber supports the goals of Vision 2015. It is critical to the economic future of our state that businesses, educators and state government work together to improve the quality of our public schools so that our school system is an asset, not detriment when trying to attract companies and quality employment to Delaware. We must work to develop a skilled and highly trained work force to compete for high quality, high-tech jobs.

The Chamber strongly advocates appropriate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula in DelawareÕs public schools in order to prepare students for information technology and biotechnology jobs and using technology in the workplace. The focus on STEM curricula is very important in the Greater Newark area as that area is poised to become a regional life science center.