Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Financial literacy efforts the focus of Gov. Markell's weekly message

Delaware Public Media

Gov. Jack Markell (D-Delaware) is pushing new programs that aim to ensure financial stability for Delaware families in his weekly message.

Markell cites a recently announced $220,000 grant for nonprofits to educate families in how to save, budget and invest. He says a similar grant facilitated financial literacy help for 38,000 Delawareans last year.

"When people are financially secure, they can buy a home, pay for college, start a business, or save for retirement," said Markell.  "So, educating Delawareans on what it takes to be financially stable is one way we can ensure our residents are on a path to success."

And he notes newly signed legislation to maintain the Stand By Me program, which he says has helped 30,000 residents with financial services over the past few years.

He says the state's new office of Financial Empowerment will continue those efforts, in hopes of strengthening Delaware's economy.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TknU19wpco" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TknU19wpco

 

Full text of Gov. Markell's weekly message:

 

When people are financially secure, they can buy a home, pay for college, start a business, or save for retirement. So, educating Delawareans on what it takes to be financially stable is one way we can ensure our residents are on a path to success.  That’s why, earlier this week, I announced almost $220K in grant money from the state’s Financial Literacy Education Fund would be awarded to 17 nonprofit organizations across Delaware. The funds will help the organizations educate adults and children on the importance of saving, establishing and maintaining a budget, and investing for the future.

 

Last year, fund recipients assisted more than 38,000 Delawareans gain the necessary tools to make sound financial decisions.  I also signed legislation this week that will ensure the sustainability and success of the Stand By Me program. That’s a free, innovative financial empowerment program that has helped more than 30,000 residents, over the past four years, in a wide variety of financial services; from helping people check their credit for the first time, or work on household budgets and add savings, to supporting individuals to take action to improve their credit.

 

The new Office of Financial Empowerment will continue these efforts, helping more Delawareans achieve financial well-being.  Providing our communities with the tools people of all ages need to learn how to succeed financially will empower our residents, strengthen our economy, and will keep Delaware moving forward.