Gov. John Carney spent Monday touring downtown areas in Wilmington, Dover and Milford where the state has invested in revitalization efforts.
The Downtown Development District program encourages private redevelopment in cities and towns across Delaware. Applicants can get up to 20 percent of their construction costs back as a state grant.
The state says it’s put about $22 million into the program since it was created in 2014 - and estimates it’s generated $450 million in private and public investment.
Grey Fox Grille owner Diana Welch said program grants are helping redevelop old buildings in Dover and give them new life.
“Fortunately, the DDD grant came around, which was very serendipitous for us," she said." We would not have been able to renovate this property to the level that we were able to if it had not been for that.” Carney said the grants help business owners and housing developers by making projects cheaper to complete. He said these projects wouldn’t get off the ground without this “gap” funding.
“At the end of the day anyway, the business person is able to make a profit, pay the rent or lease based on a lower overall cost," he said. "(The) homeowner is able to afford to buy the house based on the income that they have, the salary they get at their job. And you know, you get community benefits.”
In addition to the walking tours, Carney visited a housing site in Wilmington being redeveloped by the Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware. He also met with small business owners in Dover.
